Glaciers are melting fast in the Himalayas, scientists indicate disaster
Last Updated on April 25, 2024 2:04 am
The weather is gradually changing due to global warming. According to the World Climate Organization, Asian countries faced the most environmental disasters in the world last year.
According to the Space Research Organization (ISRO), hundreds of glaciers in the Himalayan region are melting rapidly. The volume of the lake is increasing in that melting water. Scientists believe that this indicates a major disaster.
One in four lakes larger than 10 hectares (100,000 sq m) in the Himalayan region is increasing in size. This trend has started since 1984. In recent times the situation is gradually deteriorating. As a result, the glacial melt water overflows both sides of the lake and gradually increases the risk of flooding.
Analysis of long-term satellite maps of the Himalayan region showed that 2,431 glacial lakes (lakes formed from glacial melt water) with an area of at least 10 hectares formed in 2016-17. 676 glacial lakes have increased in size since 1984. Of these, 130 are located in India. Out of these 130 lakes, 65 are in the Indus River Basin, seven are in the Ganges River Basin and 58 are in the Brahmaputra River Basin.
Of the 676 lakes mentioned, 601 have at least doubled in size. The volume of 10 lakes has increased by one and a half to two times. The number of lakes which have increased by one and a half times in volume is 65. In terms of altitude, there are 314 lakes between 4 and 5 thousand meters and 296 lakes above 5 thousand meters.
The Gepong Gath glacial lake at an altitude of 4068 m in Himachal Pradesh has increased in volume by 178%. In 1989 the area of this lake was 36.49 hectares. That has increased to 101.30 hectares in 2022. That is, the area has increased by 1.96 hectares per year.
Scientists fear that the way these lakes in the Himalayan region are increasing in size may affect the population of that region. A sudden rise in water level in a lake filled with glacial water can cause catastrophic flooding. Noted glaciologist Miriam Jackson expressed her fears about global warming only last year. He said, the melting of glaciers will create many more water bodies. The volume of many reservoirs will increase. Which is indicative of future flooding in that area.
According to the World Climate Organization, Asia has witnessed the highest number of weather disasters in the entire world last year. The continent is warming faster than the average global temperature rise. Last year there were 79 weather disasters in Asia. More than two thousand people lost their lives in those disasters. More than 90 lakh people have been affected by these disasters.
The situation is deteriorating in Bangladesh as well. The region is a major victim of environmental disasters. As people have suffered from severe heat and drought, heavy floods are again occurring in different parts of the country during the monsoon season. People are losing their lives due to heatstroke due to heat waves. There is no alternative to environmental protection to get out of this disaster.