Himalayan glacier melt accelerates, threatening water security for millions
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Himalayan glacier melt has accelerated sharply over the past decade, threatening regional water security. Scientists warn that peak water flow will be followed by decline by mid-century, triggering a deep water crisis. The warning comes after an August glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border killed 1,300 people and left 5,300 missing.
Key Facts
- Glacier melt in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya system has accelerated sharply over the past decade.
- An August glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border killed 1,300 people and left 5,300 missing.
- The Hindu Kush-Himalaya system spans 8 countries and contains about 40,000 glaciers.
- Only 21 glaciers are under permanent observation across the region.
- In India alone, about 200 glacial lakes have formed in highly dangerous zones.
Accelerating Melt
A newly published study shows that Himalayan glacier melt has accelerated sharply compared with the previous decade. Scientists state that peak water flow will be followed by decline by mid-century, resulting in a deep water crisis. The Hindu Kush-Himalaya system stretches across 8 countries and contains about 40,000 glaciers. Only 21 glaciers are under permanent observation.
Glacial Lake Hazard
Glacier retreat increases the risk of moraine lake formation and outburst flooding above valleys where millions live. In India alone, about 200 glacial lakes have formed in highly dangerous zones. Natural disasters in the Himalayas account for 35 percent of all disasters in India, although the region covers only 18 percent of the country.
Regional Water Security
The region provides more than 20 percent of GDP and sustains hundreds of millions of people. Declining natural resources and glacier melt threaten the well-being of those populations. The August glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border killed 1,300 people and left 5,300 missing.
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