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Nepal Drains Glacial Lakes to Avert Disaster
2 Oct
Summary
- Nepal begins a $50 million project to drain four dangerous glacial lakes.
- The draining aims to prevent catastrophic floods following recent disasters.
- The project, funded by Green Climate Fund, could take six years.
Nepal has initiated a significant project to drain four glacial lakes located high in its mountains, addressing escalating flood risks. This effort is a direct response to a recent disaster that resulted in over 1,400 fatalities and thousands missing after a glacier collapse caused landslides and flash floods. The draining strategy involves carefully releasing water into nearby rivers through regulated canals. This project, estimated to cost $50 million, is supported by the Green Climate Fund, the UNDP, and the Nepalese government.
The design and detailed studies for targeting the Thulagi, Lower Barun, Lumding Tsho, and Hongu II lakes will commence within the fiscal year concluding in mid-July 2027. These lakes, situated between 4,050 m and 5,483 m, are identified as highly dangerous. The complete draining process, including the installation of sensors and a flood warning system, is projected to take up to six years.
Nepal has prior experience with such projects, having successfully lowered the water levels of Tsho Rolpa and Imja glacial lakes in the past. The urgency for this new initiative is heightened by recent devastating floods that destroyed infrastructure and farmlands. Climate scientists warn that rising global temperatures are causing Himalayan glaciers to retreat, creating unstable glacial lakes that pose a constant threat to downstream communities. Lowering the water levels by even 3 meters could significantly reduce this danger.
