Glacial Lakes and Flood Risk in the Hindu Kush–Himalaya ^{CEFR B1}

The Hindu Kush–Karakoram–Himalaya (HKH) is losing ice rapidly and forming more glacial lakes. Scientists warn that up to 75 percent of the region’s glacier volume could vanish by the end of the century. Since 1990 glacial lakes worldwide have increased substantially in number, surface area and volume.

Glacial lakes supply major rivers such as the Indus and the Brahmaputra, but they can also produce Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Researchers have recorded over 500 GLOF events across the HKH in recent decades. Fatalities attributed to GLOFs include 393 deaths in the European Alps, 5,745 in South America and 6,300 in Central Asia. High Mountain Asia has the highest exposure, with about 9.3 million people at risk.

Recent large events show the danger. In 2020 a GLOF at Jinwuco, China released an estimated 10 million cubic meters of water and destroyed villages, infrastructure and farmland. GLOFs also threaten hydropower and development: a 1985 glacier lake flood destroyed Nepal’s Namche Small Hydropower Plant and cost the government about USD 1.5 million. Experts say better observation, warning systems and data are needed to reduce risk.