Glaciers in Pakistan receding at rapid pace

Islamabad: The glaciers in Pakistan are receding at a rate of almost 40-60 meters per decade and the melting ice from these glaciers is increasing the volume of water in the glacial lakes in the region.

According to a recent report, the V-shaped canyons of a normally small mountain stream can suddenly develop into an extremely turbulent and fast-moving torrent, some 50 meters deep.

“On a floodplain, inundation becomes somewhat slower, spreading as much as 10 kilometers wide. Both scenarios present horrific threats to lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and economic assets, for the exposed population,” the report said.

It said mountain communities living in the proximity of glacier lakes and glacier fed rivers are particularly at risk, as they live in remote and marginalized areas and depend heavily on fragile eco-systems for their livelihoods.

Accurate and comprehensive knowledge of glaciers and glacial lakes are of utmost importance to understand and manage the risk of GLOFs in northern Pakistan.

At present, the country faces a critical gap in knowledge of hydrological forecasting, risk mapping and disaster prevention planning.