The Himalayas are melting faster - and India's economy is 'at risk'
Summary
Glaciers in the Himalayas are melting much faster than before, increasing the risk of floods and other natural disasters. This threatens millions of people and India's economy, which depends heavily on water from these mountains.Key Facts
- Himalayan glaciers are losing ice 65% faster than 10 years ago.
- Only 21 out of about 40,000 glaciers in the region are being closely monitored.
- Unstable glacial lakes are growing, which can burst and cause floods.
- In 2023, a flood caused by a glacial lake outburst in Sikkim killed at least 70 people.
- In 2021, a similar flood in Uttarakhand killed more than 200 people.
- About 18% of India's land is in the Himalayas, but this area causes 35% of the country’s disasters.
- Himalayan water supports roughly 20% of India’s economy, especially agriculture and hydropower.
- Black carbon pollution, partly from brick kilns, causes about one-third of glacier melting.
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