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Nepal races to drain deadly glacial lakes
2 Oct
Summary
- Nepal will drain four dangerous glacial lakes this fiscal year.
- The project aims to significantly reduce downstream flood risks.
- The draining effort is expected to take up to six years.
Nepal is commencing a significant project this fiscal year to drain four glacial lakes situated at high altitudes, a proactive measure to reduce the threat of devastating floods. This initiative is particularly urgent following a recent disaster that resulted in over 1,400 fatalities and thousands missing. The plan involves carefully draining lake waters into nearby rivers, a process expected to take up to six years to complete.
The targeted lakes, including Thulagi and Lumding Tsho, are identified as highly dangerous by international experts. The project, costing $50 million, will also encompass the installation of sensors and a flood forecasting system to enhance community resilience. Nepal has prior experience with such projects, having successfully lowered the water levels of Tsho Rolpa and Imja glacial lakes in previous decades.
