The Himalayas are melting faster - and India's economy is 'at risk'
New research indicates that Himalayan glaciers are melting 65% faster than a decade ago, posing significant economic and safety risks to India. Despite the high risk of glacial lake outbursts, only a small fraction of the region's glaciers are being monitored.
Why it matters
Accelerated glacial melt threatens the stability of mountain communities and the water security of millions in South Asia.
Image source, Nur Photo via Getty Images Image caption, India's government says 56 glacial lakes had been classified as "very high risk"
India correspondent Published 1 hour ago The Himalayas are approaching a dangerous threshold as glaciers melt faster, glacial lakes grow more unstable and the mountains face a widening gap in monitoring, according to new research.
The findings come in the aftermath of devastating floods in Nepal and Tibet, which killed more than 1,300 people and caused widespread destruction, highlighting the growing risks from a rapidly changing Himalayan environment.
Himalayan glaciers are now losing mass 65% faster than they were a decade ago, the report by global consultancy Systemiq, produced with the Integrated Mountain Initiative and with technical contributions from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, says.
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