The most dangerous factor of melting glaciers is the formation of large lakes containing millions of cubic meters of water on mountain slopes. No one dares to imagine the scenario when these lakes burst.
According to the International Mountain Research Center, climate change has a significant impact on the glaciers of the Himalayas, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Pamir in the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
Research warns that, based on the current rate of global warming, approximately 56,000 glaciers will disappear by the year 2100.
The melting of glaciers will severely affect the lives of over 1.9 billion people living in South Asia, who depend on glacial water sources. Additionally, local activities such as agriculture, hydropower, and tourism in the region will also be negatively impacted due to changes in river basin dynamics.
However, the most dangerous aspect of melting glaciers is the lakes formed on mountain slopes. From 1990 to 2010, more than 900 new lakes were formed in the high mountain ranges of Asia.
Commenting on this issue, explorer and geographer from the University of Colorado, Alton Byers stated: “The melting of glaciers is occurring faster than expected.”
According to Alton Byers, global warming leads to melting ice at mountain peaks. This initially creates small puddles, which then converge to form large lakes containing millions of cubic meters of water on mountain slopes. When these lakes burst, they cause devastating floods.
The melting of glaciers is occurring faster than expected.
The most catastrophic flood in the Himalayas occurred in the Khumbu region of Nepal on August 4, 1985. Following a landslide from the Langmoche glacier that spilled into the Dig lake, waves 4-6 meters high broke the dam and released over 1.3 billion cubic meters of water, equivalent to 2,000 standard Olympic-sized swimming pools. The flood destroyed 14 bridges, 30 houses, and a hydropower plant, taking the lives of many local residents.
Since the late 1980s, groups of scientists have begun pilot studies on two lakes in the Himalayas. Satellite images show a newly formed lake called Imja expanding at an astonishing rate. From 2000 to 2007, the surface area of the lake increased by approximately 100 square meters.
To cope with the high-altitude lakes formed by melting glaciers, many countries have considered gradually draining water to reduce pressure and flood risk. Peru is currently a country that has effective strategies in response to melting glaciers.
In recent decades, Peru has lost 50% of its glaciers and has experienced terrifying floods due to high-altitude lakes bursting. After a catastrophic flood from the Palcacocha lake that caused 5,000 deaths and severely damaged more than one-third of the city of Huaraz, Peruvians found ways to drain water from high-risk glacial lakes. Dozens of high-altitude lakes in Peru have been converted into hydropower plants or irrigation reservoirs to utilize water resources and mitigate flood risks.
Currently, the best way to reduce flood risks from melting glaciers is for humans to implement stronger measures to protect the environment, limit greenhouse gas emissions, and combat global warming.
