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Himalayan glaciers lost mass 65% faster over the past decade
A joint report by Systemiq and the Integrated Mountain Initiative found that mass loss from Himalayan glaciers accelerated by 65% over the past decade compared with the previous period. A flood that struck areas of Nepal near the Chinese border on August 26 killed 1.
The flood disaster that struck areas of Nepal near the Chinese border on August 26 and killed more than 1,300 people has brought the risks facing glaciers in the Himalayas back into focus.
A joint report prepared by global consulting firm Systemiq and the India-based nongovernmental organization Integrated Mountain Initiative (IMI) found that the Himalayan region is approaching a critical threshold and that millions of people are at risk.
Glacier loss has accelerated
According to the report, Himalayan glaciers have lost mass 65% faster over the past decade than in previous periods. The region is estimated to contain around 40,000 glaciers, but only 0.1% of them are being monitored.
The report said information about permafrost, another risk factor, is even more limited. It noted that this makes it harder to monitor environmental hazards in the region.
A water source for a large population
The Himalayas are home to an extensive natural water system that supports the lives of more than 2 million people in South Asia. The report emphasized that disasters in the region could disrupt global supply chains, cause displacement and create geopolitical risks.
India is among the countries threatened by disasters caused by glacial melting. Although only 18% of India’s territory lies in the Himalayan region, about 35% of the country’s disasters occur there, putting the national economy at risk, the report said.
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