DUSHANBE, July 22, 2011, Asia-Plus — Due to the situation occurred in the area of the glacier “Medvejiy”, because of the extremely hot weather on July11-15, 2011, a working group, consisting of the representatives of relevant organizations organized a site visit on July, 15, 2011 to determine the condition of the glacier and assess the potential threats to downstream communities in the Vanj valley, a statement released by REACT said.
Glacier Medvejiy is located in the upper reaches of Abduqahor River, which is one of the main tributaries of the Vanjob River.
This glacier falls into the category of pulsating glaciers with periodic shifts. During the last fifty years several shifts of the glacier overlapping the valley have been observed, one of which caused the closure of the Abduqahor riverbed in the summer of 1973, leading to catastrophic consequences.
Around June 11, 2011, there was a shift (movement) of the glacier with overlapping the Abduqahor riverbed. The path (distance) of the shift from the original location, lengths up to more than 800 meters.
The tongue part of the glacier, which blocked the Abduqahor river valley, has the following characteristics: length – 800 m, height – 100-150 m, width — 300 – 350 m. Glacier surface is covered with mud layer, fractured with the division of large blocks. The frontal part of the glacier on the site rock buttress, the left side of the valley of the river, formed a cave (tunnel) under the glacier with a water flow rate 8-7 cubic meters per second. Big chunks of ice are observed at the outfall of the cave. During the overlapping period, an accumulation of water, followed by the breakthrough and the erosion of river material had occurred. In the downstream of the river, in the area of Kuhi-Zogh, flood had washed out the props of a road bridge. Currently, the road bridge over the river Abduqahor is damaged and in emergency condition. A survey of rear side of the glacier was not possible due to high level of the water in rivers “Dasti Rost” and below the grotto.
On July 18, 2011, with the support of Aga Khan Foundation through FOCUS in Tajikistan, a helicopter has been provided and an aero-visual survey of the glacier “Medvejiy” has been conducted. During the aero-visual survey of the glacier accumulation of water or formation of dammed lake was not observed.
REACT recommends regular monitoring of the glacier shifts in the valley by means of observing pickets. It also calls on all relevant organizations and entities responsible for reduction of risks posed by the glacier to take preparatory measures to prevent a possible catastrophe.
The Disaster Management Partnership in Tajikistan – Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team (REACT) was established in 2001 to promote the sharing of information, logistics and other resources between partners active in the disaster management sector, including the Committee of Emergency Situations and the Government of Tajikistan. The group that involves over 50 state, local and international organizations and entities meets regularly to coordinate and share experiences on issues related to various areas of disaster management, including preparedness, response, mitigation and capacity building activities with national bodies. During emergency situations the partnership works closely together, coordinating response and assistance.
