India steps up glacier monitoring after Nepal disaster

India is intensifying surveillance of its Himalayan regions near China and Nepal, following devastating floods caused by a suspected glacial collapse, authorities announced on Saturday. The US Geological Survey reported that the disaster on Wednesday near the Tibet-Nepal border was triggered by a glacial collapse, leading to a flow of debris and leaving around 3,000 people missing and 633 confirmed dead.

Although the precise cause of the collapse remains uncertain, climate change is implicated as it is causing glaciers worldwide to melt, heightening the risk of such incidents. Madan Kaushik, the state disaster management minister in India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, informed AFP that considering our shared border with Nepal and similar geographic conditions, our department has instructed monitoring all glaciers and known glacial lakes in the area.

He emphasized that teams are being kept vigilant to watch for any emerging similar situations in the state. Uttarakhand, known for its ecological sensitivity with 1,266 glacial lakes as per government data, is particularly vulnerable. Scientists warn that the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, exacerbated by climate change, exposes communities to unpredictable and costly disasters.

Additionally, melting glaciers and thawing permafrost can destabilize mountain slopes, raising the risk of landslides. Experts attribute the increased frequency, severity, and impact of these disasters to climate change, compounded by poorly planned development practices.