Retreating glaciers pose an existential threat to nearly two billion people worldwide, the United Nations has warned, highlighting that the current rate of ice loss is unprecedented.The World Water Development Report 2025, published by UNESCO, presents alarming findings that shows how the climate crisis is accelerating glacier melt at an unpredictable pace, significantly impacting water availability and increasing disaster risks.According to the
UN World Water Development Report 2025, glaciers have lost approximately 9,000 gigatons of ice since 1975 — equivalent to an ice block the size of Germany with a thickness of 25 metres.AdvertisementGlaciers around the world are disappearing at an unprecedented rate, with the last three years witnessing the most significant loss of glacial mass on record. The report warns that as mountain glaciers continue to shrink, the availability of freshwater will diminish, exacerbating competition for resources.More from World
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Australian PM Albanese to call elections imminently, vote likely to be held in MayThe findings highlight the urgency of global efforts to mitigate climate change and implement strategies for glacier preservation, especially in critical regions such as the Himalayas.The report reveals that two-thirds of the world’s irrigated agriculture relies on mountain water sources, including melting snow and glaciers. In developing nations, up to half of the people living in mountainous regions already experience food insecurity, and this situation is expected to worsen.The global consequences extend beyond water scarcity — glacier retreat is also a leading contributor to rising sea levels, which poses a threat to coastal communities and economies.Editor’s Picks1Is the global Green Deal losing momentum? Lessons from Firstpost’s ‘Ideas Pod’ at Raisina Dialogue 20252Brace for ‘setbacks’ in combating climate change, warn experts as US takes over G20 presidency in 2026Scientists warn that if current trends persist, global glacier mass could shrink by up to 50 per cent by the end of the century, dramatically affecting freshwater availability and increasing the frequency of disasters like
Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).Satellite images reveal alarming expansion of Himalayan glacial lakesAgainst this backdrop of global ice loss, new satellite data from Suhora Technologies, an Earth observation and analytics company based in India, provides insights into the changing landscape of the Himalayas.Suhora has developed an extensive inventory of approximately 33,000 glacial and non-glacial lakes spread across 630 glaciers in the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra basins.AdvertisementThe blue colour indicates the presence of glacial lakes in the Himalayan region. Suhora via FirstpostTheir analysis shows that while not all lakes in the region are expanding, some are undergoing significant growth, raising concerns about increased flood risks for nearby communities.In some cases, these lakes have grown to a point where they pose an imminent threat of GLOFs. The natural dams holding these lakes together — often composed of ice or loose moraine — can fail due to rising water levels, earthquakes, or landslides, triggering devastating floods downstream.One of the most concerning trends highlighted in Suhora’s research is the rapid expansion of high-altitude glacial lakes due to accelerated glacial melt.Receding Glacier at India (Sikkim)-China Border. Suhora via FirstpostA glacier along the Nepal-China border has exhibited a dramatic change in shape due to consistent ice loss over the years.Receding Glacier at Nepal-China Border. Suhora via FirstpostReceding Glacier at Nepal-China Border. Suhora via FirstpostSuch observations indicate that glaciers in the region are not only retreating but are also structurally weakening, further increasing the likelihood of GLOFs.A stark example of this occurred in October 2023, when the
South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim experienced a sudden outburst, leading to catastrophic damage. The resulting flood wiped out infrastructure, including roads and bridges, displaced thousands of people, and caused significant loss of life.AdvertisementFigure showing expansion of South Lhonak lake from 1967 to 2024. Suhora via FirstpostEvents like these serve as a grim reminder of the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan communities to glacial changes.The threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)GLOFs occur when natural dams holding glacial lakes fail, resulting in sudden, catastrophic flooding. These floods can wipe out infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods, and claim lives in the affected regions.The increasing frequency of GLOFs is linked to climate change, as rising global temperatures accelerate glacial melting and cause lakes to swell beyond their natural containment capacities.A few of the potential GOLF triggers are situated in India as well:Ghepan Ghat, Himachal Pradesh. Suhora via FirstpostPanikhar lake, Ladakh. Suhora via FirstpostMasar Tal, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. Suhora via FirstpostLake in Darma-Yangti Valley, Uttarakhand. Suhora via FirstpostAvalanches, rockfalls, and slope failures can further destabilise these lakes, increasing the risk of sudden dam failures. Once a moraine or ice dam collapses, the resulting flood rushes downstream at speeds of 30 to 100 kmph, carrying debris and destruction in its wake.The Himalayas, with their rugged terrain and rapidly changing climate, are particularly prone to GLOFs. Various factors can trigger these disasters, including:Glacial retreat and melting: As glaciers shrink, newly formed lakes become unstable, increasing the risk of sudden outbursts.Avalanches and landslides: Rockfalls or snow avalanches can displace large amounts of water in glacial lakes, causing waves that breach moraine dams.Permafrost degradation: As frozen ground thaws, mountain slopes become more unstable, leading to landslides that can further exacerbate flooding risks.A well-documented historical case occurred in 1941, when a massive avalanche crashed into Laguna Palcacocha, a glacial lake in the Peruvian Andes. The resulting wave breached the moraine dam, sending a deadly flood down to the city of Huaraz, killing between 1,800 and 5,000 people.Today, Laguna Palcacocha is 14 times its 1941 size, and over 120,000 people live downstream — meaning a similar disaster could have an even more devastating impact.The global context: China, the Andes, and the ArcticThe impact of glacier loss extends beyond the Himalayas. China’s glaciers, mainly located in Tibet, Xinjiang, Sichuan, and Yunnan, have seen rapid shrinkage due to rising temperatures. Official data released in March 2024 reveals that China’s total glacier area has shrunk by 26 per cent since 1960, with approximately 7,000 small glaciers disappearing entirely.According to the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, between 1960 and 1980, China had around 46,000 glaciers covering approximately 59,000 square kilometres. By 2020, this number had dropped to roughly 69,000 glaciers covering just 46,000 square kilometres.AdvertisementMeltwater from the Laohugou No. 12 glacier, flows past one of the faces of the glacier in the Qilian mountains, Subei Mongol Autonomous County in Gansu province, China, September 26, 2020. File Image/ReutersThese changes have not only reduced water availability but also raised concerns about future resource conflicts, especially in areas where rivers originating from glacial melt support millions of people.The Tibetan Plateau, often referred to as the world’s Third Pole due to its vast ice reserves, is witnessing rapid ice loss, threatening regional water security.Meltwater from the Laohugou No. 12 glacier, flows though the Qilian mountains, Subei Mongol Autonomous County in Gansu province, China, September 27, 2020. File Image/ReutersElsewhere, the Andes have lost between one-third and one-half of their glacier mass since 1998, while the Alps and Pyrenees have shrunk by approximately 40 per cent over the same period.Ice is seen on the Pastoruri glacier in the Peruvian Andes, Peru, May 7, 2024. File Image/ReutersIn the United States, persistent drought in the Colorado River Basin is worsening due to reduced snowpack in the Rocky Mountains, affecting water availability for millions.The ongoing glacial melt in Antarctica and Greenland is disrupting Atlantic Ocean circulation, contributing to the collapse of fisheries in the Gulf of Maine and intensifying storms and hurricanes worldwide.According to the World Glacier Monitoring Service, between 2000 and 2023, melting mountain glaciers contributed to 18 millimetres of global sea level rise — each millimetre of which has the potential to expose up to 300,000 people to annual flooding.AdvertisementUrgent need for monitoring and disaster preparednessGovernments and scientific organisations are stepping up efforts to mitigate the risks associated with glacial melt. Early warning systems, controlled drainage techniques and community preparedness programmes are critical components of disaster risk reduction strategies.In some regions, authorities have built flood diversion structures, such as rock-filled gabions, to redirect floodwaters away from settlements and infrastructure.Despite these efforts, the scale and speed of glacial retreat present a daunting challenge.Given the increasing frequency of glacial disasters, experts highlight the need for early warning systems, controlled drainage techniques, and community preparedness programmes to mitigate risks.Governments and scientific organisations are already taking steps in this direction:Companies like Suhora Technologies are integrating satellite data with sensor-based monitoring to assess the stability of glacial lakes and predict potential outbursts.Himalayan nations are deploying sensor-based monitoring networks to detect rapid water level changes in glacial lakes and issue real-time alerts to communities at risk.Some governments have implemented controlled drainage projects to stabilise high-risk glacial lakes, reducing their potential for catastrophic outbursts.Restricting construction in flood-prone areas and educating communities about GLOF risks have proven effective in reducing casualties during glacial disasters.To combat glacier loss, China has experimented with artificial snow systems and snow blankets to slow down melting. However, such interventions only offer temporary relief and do not address the root cause of glacial retreat — climate change.The extent of snow cover has decreased which implies receding glaciers. Suhora via FirstpostThe UNESCO report has once again highlighted the need for urgent global action to combat climate change and protect glaciers. Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO’s Director-General, stated that regardless of location, all human societies depend on mountains and glaciers for water, climate regulation and ecological balance.As part of this initiative, the United Nations has declared 2025 the “International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation” and March 21 was observed as the first World Day for Glaciers.As glaciers continue to disappear at an alarming rate, the window for effective intervention is closing.AdvertisementAlso Watch:TagsChinaClimate ChangeIndiaNepalEnd of Article

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Himalayan glacial lakes are expanding at an alarming rate: How they are putting thousands at risk