Nepal has raised concerns over China’s failure to provide essential information about its Himalayan glacial lakes, which poses a significant threat to flood-prone regions in Nepal. A senior Nepali official has accused Beijing of not fulfilling its promises to share crucial data, hindering efforts to prevent devastating flood disasters in the mountainous region.
The issue has gained urgency after two lakes in Nepal burst last Friday, destroying dozens of homes in the village of Thame, known for its Everest sherpas. The disaster has heightened fears that global warming, which is accelerating the melting of glaciers, could lead to more such incidents in the future.
Jagadishwor Karmacharya, the head of Nepal’s hydrology and meteorology department, emphasized the importance of collaboration between China, Nepal, and India to mitigate the risks associated with glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). He pointed out that Nepal has been requesting data from China for years, but Beijing has not lived up to its commitments made during bilateral meetings.
Karmacharya warned that if a lake in China were to burst, the impact on Nepal could be catastrophic. He called the information from China “essential” for Nepal to prepare and reduce the potential damage from floods.
This issue is not new. In 2016, the bursting of Gongbatongshacuo Lake in Tibet caused a flood along the Bhote Koshi River in Nepal’s Sindhupalchowk district, leading to widespread destruction, including the loss of homes, a school, and critical infrastructure.
The recent disaster in Thame, where water from two glacial lakes rushed down the mountain, destroyed 23 homes, and damaged 40 more, has brought the issue into sharp focus. Local communities, heavily reliant on tourism, fear the long-term impact on their livelihoods as key infrastructure has been swept away.
Experts like Basanta Raj Adhikari, an engineering professor at Tribhuvan University, have raised alarms about the potential devastation that could be caused by larger glacial lakes. A 2020 report identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in the Himalayas, 25 of which are in Tibet, governed by China.
The Nepali government is now considering relocating affected villages to safer areas, while also exploring measures like lowering water levels in glacial lakes and installing early warning systems to protect against future GLOFs.
As the effects of climate change become increasingly evident, Nepali communities, particularly in remote mountain areas, are bearing the brunt of the crisis. Despite contributing the least to global warming, they are facing some of the most severe consequences, with their pleas for international support often going unheard.
Veteran Nepali tourism entrepreneur Ang Tshiring Sherpa highlighted the growing threat to Himalayan tourism and the disproportionate burden on Sherpa communities. He expressed frustration that these communities are left to fend for themselves despite the clear and present dangers posed by climate change.
The lack of cooperation from China and the ongoing risks underscore the need for stronger international collaboration and support to address the impacts of climate change in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas.