SANKHUWASABHA, Nov 21: A total of 42 glacial lakes in Koshi Province are at high risk of outburst, according to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Sharad Prasad Joshi, an expert from ICIMOD, shared the data Friday at an interaction held in Khadbari, Sankhuwasabha, on the topic “Risks Arising from Rapid Changes in Nepal’s Glaciers and Glacial Lakes”. He cited findings from the 2020 report.
According to Joshi, out of 2,069 glacial lakes in Nepal, 42 in the Koshi region are classified as extremely high-risk. He emphasized that if these lakes were to burst, they could cause severe damage to life, property, and infrastructure, highlighting the need for heightened vigilance and preparedness.
Six glacial lakes in high risk of outburst
In Sankhuwasabha alone, four lakes in the Botkhola and Makalu areas fall in the high-risk category. Among them, Thulo Pokhari in the Lower Barun area is considered the most dangerous. The lake is estimated to be several kilometers long and about 206 meters deep.
Risk-reduction plans are being implemented for these four lakes, including Thulo Pokhari in Lower Barun, with support from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and UNDP Nepal.
Joshi noted that a potential glacial lake outburst would directly threaten many settlements and infrastructure in the Arun Valley. Additionally, 13 lakes originating from the Tibet region pose a possible hazard to the northern region.
ICIMOD’s Neera Shrestha Pradhan emphasized that women, children, and marginalized groups are the most affected during disasters, and programs are being conducted to raise awareness and build capacity among these groups. Suman Shakya, chief of the District Coordination Committee, stressed the urgent need for effective measures for the sustainable management of high-risk glacial lakes.
The program, attended by Chief District Officer Sirjana Thapaliya and other stakeholders, included detailed discussions on lake management, risk reduction, and local preparedness.
