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Driven by climate change and as a result of rising temperatures, this is rapidly heightening the risk of floods that have the potential to devastate communities across the region.
Over the past 13 years, the overall area of Himalayan glacial lakes has increased by more than 10 per cent, from 533,401 hectares in 2011 to 591,108 hectares in 2024.
This rapid expansion is primarily being driven by the accelerated melting of glaciers due to rising temperatures, a consequence of the ongoing, and ever-worsening, climate crisis.
The Himalayan mountain range – often referred to as the ‘Third Pole’ due to its vast glacial reserves, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of global warming.
As temperatures rise, these once-stable glaciers are rapidly retreating, creating new glacial lakes that are forming in the wake of receding ice.
The expansion of these glacial lakes poses a significant threat to the communities living downstream. Sudden floods can occur when the natural dams containing these lakes breach, releasing massive amounts of water and wreaking havoc on the surrounding areas.
The report highlights an urgent need for close monitoring of even the smallest glacial lakes, as they too can pose a serious flood risk.
The potential repercussions of a glacial lake outburst flood are truly staggering. In the past, such events have destroyed critical infrastructure, displaced thousands of people, and claimed numerous lives.
In 2013, a glacial lake breach in the Indian state of Uttarakhand resulted in a devastating flood that killed over 5,700 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.
As the Himalayan glacial lakes continue to grow in size, the risk of these catastrophic events is only expected to increase, putting the lives and livelihoods of millions at stake.
