Dr. Lavkush Kumar Patel

Scientist 'D'

Centre for Cryosphere and Climate Change Studies, Roorkee, Haridwar

lavkush.nihr@gov.in 07769873182

About

I am a glaciologist with research interests in glacio-hydrology and climate–glacier interactions in the Himalayan and Arctic regions. My work integrates field observations, remote sensing (optical and SAR), and hydrological modeling to understand glacier mass balance, ice dynamics, and meltwater contributions to river systems. I have extensive experience in high-altitude field expeditions, mass balance stake installation, debris-covered glacier studies, and supraglacial lake investigations. I contribute to advancing glacier monitoring networks and improving the representation of glacier processes in models under changing climate conditions. My research supports sustainable water resource management and hazard assessment in glacier-fed basins.

Academic Qualifications

DegreeSubjectUniversityYear
PhD Remote Sensing and GIS MGCGV Chitrakoot MP India 2017
MSc Remote Sensing and GIS MGCGV Chitrakoot MP India 2010

Experience

Administrative Roles

Research Interest

Publications

International Journal

  1. Energy fluxes, mass balance, and climate sensitivity of the Sutri Dhaka Glacier in the western Himalaya
    SN Oulkar, M Thamban, P Sharma, B Pratap, AT Singh, LK Patel
    Frontiers in Earth Science (2022 )
  2. Glacier area changes and its relation to climatological trends over Western Himalaya between 1971 and 2018
    Patel LK, Sharma A, Sharma P, Singh A, Thamban M
    Journal of Earth System Science (2021 )
  3. Spatial surface velocity pattern in the glaciers of Chandra Basin, western Himalaya
    Patel LK, Sharma P, Singh A, Pratap B, Oulkar S, Thamban M
    GeoCarto International (2021 )
  4. Monitoring glacier characteristics and their mass balance using a multidimensional approach over the glaciers of the Chandra basin, western Himalaya
    A Patel, A Goswami, JK Dharpure, P Sharma, LK Patel, M Thamban
    Hydrological Sciences Journal (2022 )
  5. Distributed energy balance, mass balance and climate sensitivity of upper Chandra Basin glaciers, western Himalaya
    Oulkar SN, P Sharma, B Pratap, M Thamban, S Laha, Patel LK, Singh AT
    Annals of Glaciology (2025 )
  6. Differential surface melting of a debris-covered glacier and its geomorphological control—A case study from Batal Glacier, western Himalaya
    B Pratap, P Sharma, Patel LK, Singh AT, Oulkar SN, Thamban M
    Geomorphology (2023 )
  7. Influence of Supraglacial Debris Thickness on Thermal Resistance of the Glaciers of Chandra Basin, Western Himalaya
    Patel LK, Sharma P, Singh A, Oulkar S, Pratap B, Thamban M
    Frontiers in Earth Science (2022 )
  8. Debris control on glacier thinning—a case study of the Batal glacier, Chandra basin, Western Himalaya
    Patel, L. K., P. Sharma, M. Thamban, A. Singh and R. Ravindra
    Arabian Journal of Geosciences (2016 )
  9. Role of debris cover to control specific ablation of adjoining Batal and Sutri Dhaka glaciers in Chandra Basin (Himachal Pradesh) during peak ablation season.
    Sharma, P., L. K. Patel, R. Ravindra, A. Singh, K. Mahalinganathan and M. Thamban
    Journal of Earth System Science (2016 )
  10. Spatio-temporal variability of snow water equivalent over the Vestre Broggerbreen and Feiringbreen glaciers
    Patel, LK., P. Sharma and M. Thamban
    Journal of Earth System Science (2019 )
  11. Moisture Sources for Precipitation and Hydrograph Components of the Sutri Dhaka Glacier Basin, Western Himalayas
    Singh, T. A., W. Rahaman, P. Sharma, M. C. Laluraj, K. L. Patel, B. Pratap, K. V. Gaddam and M. Thamban
    Water (2019 )
  12. Reconciling High Glacier Surface Melting in Summer with Air Temperature in the Semi-Arid Zone of Western Himalaya
    Pratap, B., P. Sharma, L. Patel, T. A. Singh, K. V. Gaddam, S. Oulkar and M. Thamban
    Water (2019 )
  13. Geospatial observations of topographical control over the glacier retreat, Miyar basin, Western Himalaya, India
    Patel, L. K., P. Sharma, T. Fathima and M. Thamban
    Environmental earth sciences (2018 )
  14. A geospatial analysis of Samudra Tapu and Gepang Gath glacial lakes in the Chandra Basin, Western Himalaya
    Patel, L. K., P. Sharma, C. M. Laluraj, M. Thamban, A. Singh and R. Ravindra
    Natural Hazards (2017 )
  15. Export fluxes of geochemical solutes in the meltwater stream of Sutri Dhaka Glacier, Chandra basin, Western Himalaya
    Singh, A. T., C. M. Laluraj, P. Sharma, L. K. Patel and M. Thamban
    Environmental Monitoring and Assessment (2017 )

Book Chapter

  1. Glacier Response to Climate in Arctic and Himalaya During Last Seventeen Years: A Case Study of Svalbard, Arctic and Chandra Basin, Himalaya
    Sharma, P., L. K. Patel, A. T. Singh, T. Meloth and R. Ravindra
    . Climate Change and the White World, Springer (2020 )

Projects

Internal Studies 2

Long-term glacio-hydrological investigations and modelling of the Gangotri glacier system
Agency: Ministry of Jal Shakti | Duration: Long-term | Role: PI
Glacio-hydrological and GLOF investigations over the Triloki glacier, Bhaga basin, Western Himalaya
Agency: Ministry of Jal Shakti | Duration: Long-term | Role: PI

Conference & Training

Training / Workshop / Brainstorming

Advanced Training of Trainers (ToT) program on “Glaciers and Glacial lakes observations for Sustainable Water Resource Management”
National Duration: 14 Days Location: National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee
Advanced Training of Trainers (ToT) program on “Glaciers and Glacial lakes observations for Sustainable Water Resource Management”
National Duration: 6 Days Location: National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee

Achievements

Student Guidance

Doctoral Supervision
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): A Case Study of North Sikkim Himalaya.
Student: Mr Shiv Shankar Yadav | University/Institute: Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gorakhpur University (DDUGU), Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, | Year: 2025 | Role: Co-Guide

Masters Supervision

Annual and Seasonal flow of glaciers in Chandra Basin, Western Himalaya using SAR techniques
Student: Vivek Iyer | University/Institute: K.J. Somaiya College of science and commerce, University of Mumbai | Year: 2021 | Role: Co-Guide
SNOW MELT RUNOFF MODELLING AND CLIMATE VARIABILITY OF CHANDRA BASIN
Student: Puspahash Biswas | University/Institute: IIT ISM DHANBAD | Year: 2021 | Role: Guide
Discharge assessment of Chandra basin, western Himalaya using snowmelt runoff model for last two decadesDischarge assessment of Chandra basin, western Himalaya using snowmelt runoff model for last t
Student: Mr. Ritesh Kumar | University/Institute: Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | Year: 2020 | Role: Co-Guide
Satellite based observations of glacier recession and climatic variability over the Parvati Basin, Western Himalaya
Student: Ms Anushree Singh | University/Institute: Amity University, Noida | Year: 2019 | Role: Co-Guide
ANALYSIS OF GLACIER BEHAVIOR AS PER THE CHANGING CLIMATE FROM 1971 TO 2018 FOR BHAGA AND MIYAR BASIN, WESTERN HIMALAYAS
Student: Ms Anwesha Sharma | University/Institute: TERI School of Advanced Studies New Delhi | Year: 2019 | Role: Co-Guide
Geospatial observations of topographical control over the glacier retreat, Miyar basin, Western Himalaya, India
Student: T. N. Fathima | University/Institute: Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management, Kazhakkoottam, Kerala 695581, India | Year: 2016 | Role: Co-Guide
Glacio-hydrological modelling using SPHY model in Upper Bhagirathi Basin
Student: Shital Chauhan | University/Institute: Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand | Year: 2024 | Role: Guide

Miscellaneous

National / International Committees

Foreign Visits