Flood concerns over Everest's picturesque glacial lakes

By Euronews

Published on 12/12/2018 - 10:31 GMT+1

Copied

Hundreds of these lakes have appeared out of nowhere in the Himalayas in recent decades. A 2014 survey found one quarter of Nepal's glaciers shrunk between 1977 and 2010, leaving behind 1,466 lakes.

Formed in the shadow of Mount Everest, the turquoise depths of Nepal's Imja glacial lake would be a breathtaking miracle of nature to behold - were they not a portent of catastrophic floods.

Scientists warn that as climate change causes Himalayan glaciers to melt at an alarming rate, lakes like Imja could swell further and eventually collapse, triggering a terrifying deluge in Nepal, an impoverished nation at the mercy of a warming planet.

Those tasked with staving off disaster fear a 'glacial lake outburst flood' - sending torrents of water, mud and rock hurtling downstream -- could reach as far as Nepal's densely populated southern plains, wiping out roads, vital energy projects and entire villages in its path.

Go to accessibility shortcuts

Comments

20-seconds

Flood concerns over Everest's picturesque glacial lakes

Hundreds of these lakes have appeared out of nowhere in the Himalayas in recent decades. A 2014 survey found one quarter of Nepal's glaciers shrunk between 1977 and 2010, leaving behind 1,466 lakes.

‘Europe will respond’ to Russian drone incidents, von der Leyen vows

Ukraine and Hungary move to resolve deadlock over minority rights that has stalled Kyiv’s EU bid

European governments slam Israel over video of activists' treatment

Radio station sorry after mistakenly announcing death of King Charles

Which European countries saw the fastest income growth in 2025?