Glacial lakes and flood risk in the Hindu Kush‑HimalayaCEFR A2
12 Oct 2025
Adapted from Qian Sun, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Huzaifa Ginwala, Unsplash
The Hindu Kush‑Himalaya region spans Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, China, Nepal and India. The mountains store large amounts of freshwater in glaciers. As the climate warms, many glaciers are melting and making new glacial lakes. Some studies report upwards of 8,900 lakes across the region. When a natural dam fails, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) can send a sudden, powerful wave of water downstream.
Predicting GLOFs is hard, but better data, shared science and coordinated observation systems could give earlier warnings. Arun Bhakta Shrestha of ICIMOD says, "Water is a very sensitive issue." Political tensions and secrecy often slow data sharing and delay alerts, which can cost lives.
Difficult words
- melt — to change from solid to liquid.
- flood — a large amount of water covering land.floods
- prepare — to make ready for something.
- communication — the act of sharing information.
- cooperation — working together towards a common goal.
- data — facts and figures used for information.
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 people can prepare better for floods?
- Why is data sharing important in disaster situations?
- What methods could improve communication in affected areas?
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