IAS Gyan

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GLACIAL LAKES OUTBURST FLOOD

21st February, 2023 Geography

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Context

  • Around 15 million people across the world face the risk of sudden and deadly flooding from glacial lakes, which are expanding and rising in numbers due to global warming.

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)

Recent Study

  • Around 15 million people across the world face the risk of sudden and deadly flooding from glacial lakes, which are expanding and rising in numbers due to global warming, according to a new study published in Nature. More than half of those who could be impacted live in four countries: India, Pakistan, Peru and China.
  • ‘Glacial lake outburst floods threaten millions globally.
  • Increasing glacial melting because of climate change, alongside other environmental effects of climate change (i.e permafrost melting) mean that regions with glaciers are likely to see increased flooding risks from GLOFs. This is especially true in the Himalayas where geologies are more active.
  • GLOFs can prove to be catastrophic as they mostly arrive with little warning and result in large-scale destruction of property, infrastructure, and agricultural land. They can also lead to the death of hundreds of people.

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/india-pakistan-flooding-from-glacial-lakes-new-study-8456650/