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Bhutan's Glacial Lakes Threaten Downstream Floods
30 Oct
Summary
- Bhutan has 567 glacial lakes, with 17 identified as dangerous.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Floods are described as 'tsunamis in the sky'.
- Climate change exacerbates risks by accelerating glacier melt and lake expansion.
Bhutan, a nation nestled in the Himalayas, is confronting an increasing risk from its numerous glacial lakes. Of the 567 glacial lakes identified within the country, 17 have been categorized as potentially dangerous due to their fragile natural barriers. These lakes, formed by retreating glaciers, hold vast volumes of water that could be unleashed in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
The United Nations Development Programme has metaphorically termed GLOFs as 'tsunamis in the sky' due to their destructive power. Bhutan's mountainous topography makes it particularly vulnerable to these events, with a history of devastating floods, such as the 1994 GLOF at Lugge Tsho which resulted in fatalities and significant damage.
Climate change is a significant factor intensifying these dangers. Rising global temperatures are accelerating glacier retreat, leading to the formation and expansion of glacial lakes. This phenomenon, coupled with potential instability in the surrounding terrain, heightens the risk of outburst events. Bhutan is actively working to enhance its monitoring and early warning systems to better predict and respond to potential GLOFs.
