Himalayan glaciers melting faster, raising flood and water security risks

Himalayan glaciers are melting 65% faster than a decade ago, creating unstable glacial lakes and increasing downstream flood risks for hundreds of millions of people, according to a new study. The research, released this month, warns the region is approaching a tipping point with profound implications for water security and economic stability across South Asia. The findings come in the aftermath of a catastrophic glacier collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border in late August. That disaster triggered cascading landslides and flash floods that killed at least 1,300 people and left more than 5,300 missing across Nepal and China's Tibet region. The event has underscored the urgent need for better monitoring and assessment of Himalayan hazards. The study was produced by Systemiq, a sustainability advisory firm, in collaboration with the Integrated Mountain Initiative, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), and India's G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.