Increasing threat of climate change: Bhutan’s glacial lakes are becoming the cause of major disaster, thousands of people are in trouble.

New Delhi. The impact of climate change is continuously deepening in the Himalayan region. Glaciers melting rapidly due to rising temperatures are no longer limited to just the concern of ice loss, but the glacial lakes formed from them are also emerging as a serious natural hazard. A new international study warns that if the dams on one of Bhutan’s vulnerable glacial lakes burst, it could cause widespread destruction within hours.

The study, led by Newcastle University, UK, uses modern modeling techniques to comprehensively assess the likelihood and impact of a potential Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF). The research findings have been published in the prestigious scientific journal Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences.

Detailed risk assessment for the first time

The researchers not only studied the condition of glacial lakes, but also analyzed which areas the flood water would reach if the natural dam of a lake breaks and how much impact it would have on the population and infrastructure living there.

Scientists from Zurich University, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Nepal-based International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) also participated in this study. Researchers say that this is the first study in which a comprehensive assessment of the potential loss of life as well as damage to infrastructure has been done.

Thousands of people and important infrastructure are in danger

According to the study, more than 11,000 people could be at direct risk in the event of a possible glacier lake eruption. Apart from this, more than 2,500 buildings, more than 250 kilometers of road network, about 20 square kilometers of agricultural land and more than 400 bridges may be vulnerable to possible floods.

Scientists believe that such a disaster will not only cause damage to buildings and properties, but will also have a serious impact on the transportation system, agricultural production, local livelihoods and the regional economy.

Himalaya’s risk increasing due to climate change

According to experts, due to the continuously increasing temperature in the Himalayas, glaciers are melting rapidly, due to which new glacial lakes are being formed and the size of the old lakes is also increasing. Due to this, the possibility of events like Glacier Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) has increased more than before.

Researchers say that to prevent possible disasters, it is very important to regularly monitor the lakes at risk, develop early warning systems and make concrete arrangements for timely disaster management in sensitive areas.