Scientists called the glacial burst in Uttarakhand a "very rare incident". They said that satellite and Google Earth images did not show a glacial lake near the region. There was a possibility of 'water pockets' (lakes inside the glaciers) which might have burst. The entire Hindu-Kush Himalayan region has emerged as a climate change hotspot over the years. The event reminded Indian planners that the frontier of climate change is very close to home.