Tepar Village and the nearby Teparsai Gorge are located in the middle reaches of the Pskem River, situated on its highest terrace. Together with the neighboring Takayangak Village, they form one administrative unit with a total population of 960 people (447 men, 486 women, and 15 individuals with disabilities). The area serves as a key settlement zone and access point to the upper Pskem basin. The Teparsai Gorge lies downstream of several glacial lake systems and is characterized by high exposure to exogenous geological processes, including mudflows, landslides, and rockfalls. These hazards are intensified by active development, such as the construction of hydropower facilities and supporting infrastructure.

The area is exposed to several natural hazards. Construction activities in the Teparsai Hydropower Station area, including blasting and heavy transportation of materials, have disturbed the geological stability. This disturbance has the potential to reactivate ancient landslides with volumes reaching 20–30 million m³ or generate new technogenic landslides. In 2023, the construction of the Teparsai Dam was completed, forming a reservoir with a capacity of 500 million m³ and a length of about 20 km. Such large-scale reservoirs increase the risk of rockfalls into the river, which can create waves and downstream damage. The area is also at risk of mudflows due to rainfall, snowmelt, and glacial melt, which threaten construction personnel and local infrastructure.

Rain-induced mudflows have occurred in the region, causing damage to infrastructure and partial blockage of river channels. Although no glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) have occurred to date, the combination of rapid development and natural instability creates high future risk potential.

UZGIDROMET and the Institute of Geology and Geophysics conduct regular aerial and field surveys of local lakes and geological formations. These include bathymetric mapping and hydrometeorological monitoring to track evolving threats.

As part of the GLOFCA initiative, early warning systems and monitoring equipment will be installed near high-risk areas. Landslide motion sensors and hydrological gauges will help assess hazards and provide critical lead time for evacuation and infrastructure protection.

Pskem Village is the last populated settlement in the Pskem River Valley, with a population of 1,035 people (420 women, 615 men, and 17 individuals with disabilities). It serves as a key hub for beekeeping operations, tourism, and national park access. Upstream are several strategic points such as the Maidontal and Oigaing meteorological stations and border posts. Located in the upper reaches of the Pskem River are two large glacial lakes—Shavurkool and Ikhnach—with volumes of 4.5 and 5 million cubic meters, respectively. These lakes are of moraine-glacial origin and are situated in a seismically and geologically sensitive zone with steep slopes and significant glacial activity.

While no historical GLOF events from these lakes have been documented, they present a clear risk. Shavurkool Lake is dammed by unstable moraines, and the Ikhnachkul lake system is known for its rapid filling and potential outburst behavior. A sudden outburst could affect the valley’s infrastructure and ecological systems. The Pskem River has a maximum discharge exceeding 200 m³/sec, and additional hydropower stations (Mulallinskaya, Taliksai, and the planned Karangitugai HPP) increase vulnerability to cascading failures in the case of natural disasters like landslides or glacial floods.

Past events include rain-triggered mudflows that have caused riverbed blockages and infrastructure damage. Although no outbursts from moraine-dammed lakes have occurred, their rapid hydrological response and geomorphology indicate a high level of latent hazard.

Surveys of Shavurkool, Ikhnach, and Urungach lake systems are conducted to monitor their stability. Hydrological and bathymetric assessments are part of the regular scientific observation programs by national agencies and geological institutions.

In 2025, monitoring systems for water level and weather conditions will be installed at Shavurkool, Ikhnachkul, and Urungach lakes. Early warning systems and landslide sensors will improve preparedness for both natural and anthropogenic risks. These measures aim to protect not only the local population but also workers at hydropower facilities and increasing numbers of tourists.