Glacial Lakes and Flood Risk in the Hindu Kush–HimalayaCEFR A2
2 Oct 2025
Adapted from Qian Sun, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Tanveer Mazhar, Unsplash
The Hindu Kush–Himalaya region is losing ice as global temperatures rise. Scientists estimate up to 75 percent of the glacier volume could disappear by the end of the century. When glaciers retreat, meltwater collects and forms glacial lakes.
Since 1990 glacial lakes worldwide have expanded by about 53 percent in number, 51 percent in surface area and 48 percent in volume. These lakes feed rivers such as the Indus and the Brahmaputra, but they can also cause sudden Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). GLOFs have killed people in many regions and damage villages and infrastructure. In High Mountain Asia, around 9.3 million people are exposed to GLOF risk. In 2020 a GLOF at Jinwuco, China released about 10 million cubic meters of water and damaged villages and farmland.
Difficult words
- glacier — A large mass of ice moving slowly.glaciers
- lake — A large area of water surrounded by land.lakes
- flood — An overflow of water onto normally dry land.floods
- risk — The chance of losing something valuable.
- infrastructure — The basic structures and services of a place.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think communities can prepare for GLOFs?
- What effects do floods have on agriculture?
- Why is it important to research the impact of climate change?
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