Sonam Rinzin

About Sonam

I'm a Physical Geography PhD student funded by the IAPETUS-2 Doctoral Training Programme under the Natural Environment Research Council of the United Kingdom.

Project description

My research focuses on investigating the dangers and subsequent risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the Bhutan Himalaya, employing remote sensing imagery and numerical modelling.

Specifically, my PhD research focuses on integrating GLOF hazard maps with an agent-based risk/behaviour model in the Phochu basin of Bhutan.

Through the integration of a numerical model with an agent-based risk/behaviour model, the project aims to understand the interplay between GLOF hazard maps and downstream human factors, including GLOF risk perception and response capacity of the people.

The goal is to explore how this interaction shapes the ultimate impact of GLOFs on the downstream communities residing in the Phochu Basin of Bhutan.

Publications

• Rinzin, S., Zhang, G., and Wangchuk, S (2021). Glacial Lake Area Change and Potential Outburst Flood Hazard Assessment in the Bhutan Himalaya. Front. Earth Sci. 9(775195)
• Rinzin, S. et al., 2023. GLOF hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and risk assessment of potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the Bhutan Himalaya. Journal of Hydrology, 619

Academic qualifications, memberships and achievements

• M.Sc. Physical Geography – Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
• Post Graduate Diploma in Education – Royal University of Bhutan
• B.Sc. Life Science – Royal University of Bhutan