19 July 2010
The Attabad lake is now at its highest level so far
Posted by Dave Petley
Today’s NDMA report paints a surprising picture of the Attabad barrier lake. It reports that the water level has risen by 36 inches (91 cm) over the weekend, meaning that it is now at its highest ever level. I will try to post the graphs of lake level and discharge in the next three hours or so.
Dave Petley is the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hull in the United Kingdom. His blog provides commentary and analysis of landslide events occurring worldwide, including the landslides themselves, latest research, and conferences and meetings.
A 36 inch increase in level raises the possibility that the right bank may go under water, especially at the top where it is not very much higher than the lake. This will likely lead to erosion on the right bank. If the streambed slabs are bypassed downcutting could happen rapidly resulting in a major water release.People below need to be especially alert until the peak flow has subsided.George