Rapidly Melting Himalayan Glaciers: A
Warning of Water Crisis and Future Threats
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The Himalayas are now
under threat. The glaciers of the Himalayas are melting rapidly. Previously,
they were melting slowly, but now they are melting at double the pace. After
the polar regions, the Himalayas constitute the world's third-largest reservoir
of ice—a distinction that has earned it the title of the ‘Third Pole.’
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It is not merely ice that
is melting; this phenomenon lays the foundation for an impending water crisis.
The lives of millions of people are inextricably linked to this issue.
Agriculture, water resources, and the entire economy are at stake. This is not
a distant concern; it is happening right now—and it is accelerating rapidly.
Approximately 12% of Glacier Area Lost
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According to reports,
glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region are shrinking at a pace far
exceeding that of the past. Between 1990 and 2020, approximately 12 percent of
the total glacier area has vanished.
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The volume of ice
reserves has also diminished by 9 percent. A matter of particular concern is
that, in the 21st century, the rate of glacial melting has nearly doubled
compared to the 20th century.
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This decline has
accelerated significantly, particularly since 2010. Smaller glaciers have been
the most severely affected, with many now teetering on the brink of complete
disappearance.
Greatest Glacier Loss in River Basins
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The report indicates that
the most substantial loss of glaciers has occurred within the river basins of
the Ganges and the Brahmaputra. Over the past three decades, the glacier area
in these regions has contracted by approximately 21 percent and 16 percent,
respectively. These are the very rivers upon which large populations across
several nations—including India—depend for their sustenance.
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Should the glaciers
continue to shrink, the water levels of these vital rivers will inevitably be
compromised. Water availability may decrease, particularly during dry seasons.
Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan
Region
¨ The Hindu Kush Himalayan region is home to over 63,000 glaciers. These glaciers are not merely mountains of ice; they serve as natural water reservoirs. During the summer months, this very ice melts to feed the rivers. However, this delicate balance is now being disrupted. Temperatures are rising, and rainfall patterns are shifting.
¨ Glaciers situated below an altitude of 5,500 meters are melting at the most rapid pace. Furthermore, glaciers facing south and east are receding more rapidly, as they are exposed to greater amounts of sunlight.
