UN official warns of severe Himalayan glacial flood risks

Last week's devastating flood in Nepal, which claimed over 1,000 lives, was a stark example of these dangers, triggered by the collapse of a glacier near the Langtang Lirung mountain peak. This event unleashed a landslide and a subsequent flood wave down the Trishuli River. While distinct from glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), where meltwater builds up behind natural barriers until pressure causes a breach, both phenomena are on the rise.

Wignaraja explained that climate change is accelerating glacier melt in the region, loosening rocks and increasing pressure on glacial lake barriers. The Himalayas' relatively young geological age also makes them more susceptible to tectonic shifts that can trigger sudden collapses. Researchers had identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Nepal, China, and India in 2020, but the actual number is now believed to be considerably higher.

Nepal is particularly dependent on glaciers for its water supply and income, facing difficult choices about relocation and infrastructure resilience. The recent flood destroyed 15 major power stations under construction, in addition to operational ones. While new technology can enhance the resilience of electrical networks and hydropower stations, Wignaraja noted that the scale of events like last week's 'mud and ice tidal wave' could overwhelm most existing defenses.