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Himalayan Glaciers Shrink, Threatening Hydel Power
19 Jul
Summary
- Satluj basin glacier area decreased by 97.5 sq km between 2000 and 2020.
- Over 80% of glaciers in the Satluj basin are currently retreating.
- Climate change impacts hydropower generation by altering river flow patterns.
A recent study highlights that climate change is significantly altering the Satluj basin's hydrology, with shrinking Himalayan glaciers threatening future hydel power generation in Himachal Pradesh. The analysis, covering two decades, revealed a decrease in total glacier-covered area from 1,481.7 sq km in 2000 to 1,384.2 sq km in 2020.
More than 80% of glaciers within the basin are retreating, some at rates exceeding 40 meters annually, particularly in the Spiti sub-basin. This fragmentation of larger glaciers into smaller ice bodies indicates rapid climatic changes. Glacier health is deteriorating, marked by a rise in glaciers with negative mass balance, meaning they lose more ice than they gain from snowfall.
Rising temperatures and reduced winter snow accumulation are blamed for the declining glacier mass balance. While increased meltwater may offer short-term benefits to some hydropower projects by enhancing river discharge, the long-term outlook is concerning. Diminished glacier storage is expected to reduce late-season water availability.
Hydropower projects in the Satluj basin, including major ones like Nathpa Jhakri, may face challenges from reduced water flow and increased sediment loads. Run-of-the-river projects are particularly vulnerable due to their dependence on consistent river discharge and lack of storage capacity.
