Future Glacier Melt in Himalayas Increases Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods

Nature, May 6

The widespread disappearance of Himalayan glaciers is associated with the rapid expansion of glacial lakes, increasing the risks for glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in the region. While the eastern Himalayas presently has the highest GLOF risk, authors predict additional hotspots will emerge further west, as glaciers in the region are projected to disappear during the 21st century. GLOFs can have devastating consequences for people and economies hundreds of kilometers downstream from their source, and thus pose a severe threat for sustainable development. Authors emphasize the urgent need for long-term risk reduction planning and adaptation strategies that are not restrained by political borders, in order to mitigate the impact of future warming.

https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/15/1501/2021/

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