Rising Glacial Lakes in Himachal and Tibet Heighten Downstream Risk

The number of glacial lakes in Himachal Pradesh and Tibet's Satluj river catchment has nearly doubled, from 562 in 2019 to 1,048 in 2023, due to rapid glacier melt driven by climate change. Most of these lakes are small, with many forming in Tibet’s upper regions, indicating severe climate impacts. Experts warn that these unstable lakes could burst, threatening lives and infrastructure downstream. As glaciers shrink and snowfall decreases, the risk of disasters in the Himalayan region continues to grow.