News

Himalayan glaciers are receding rapidly

29.05.2014

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)- with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Kathmandu, the Government of Nepal and other partners – has recently released a publication entitled, “Glacier Status in Nepal and Decadal Change from 1980 to 2010 Based on Landsat Data.”  

Glaciers in Nepal are decreasing at an average rate of 38 sqkm per year, largely due to increasing temperatures as a consequence of climate change. The rapid glacier shrinkage in the high Himalayan region will have major implications on the long-term availability of freshwater while increasing risks of glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). It will also affect the regional climate regime in the long run due resulting from cryospheric changes. 

The research report provides a detailed analysis of glaciers in Nepal as well as the latest data on five river basins (Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra and Irrawaddy) in the Hindukush-Karakuram-Himalaya (HKH) region.

The glacier inventory was developed using the latest remote sensing tools and techniques to enhance the understanding of the glacier dynamics in the region.  The historical data - spanning 30 years – will help reduce knowledge gaps  in the high-Himalayas and will further improve scientific assessment of the glacier retreat and its impact of the around one billion people who are dependent on rivers originating from the HKH region. 

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Photo: Flickr/Sally