Pre-Summit Side Event Climate Change, Glacier Melting, and Water Induced Disasters in the Himalayan Region: The Case of Riverine Floods 4 February 2009
Delhi Sustainable Development Summit (DSDS) 2009
Pre-Summit Side Event
Climate Change, Glacier Melting, and Water Induced Disasters in the Himalayan Region: The Case of Riverine Floods
Temperature increase is widespread over the globe with some areas, including the world’s highlands, showing markedly higher trends. The Himalayas have the largest concentration of ice in the world outside the Polar regions, with an estimated 34,500 square kilometres of glaciers in total. The climate change is having a profound impact on Himalayan valley glaciers, which are retreating at high rates that are accelerating. If the present trend continues, it is estimated that most valley glacier trunks and small glaciers will disappear by 2050. As valley glaciers retreat, glacial lakes can form behind the exposed end moraines. Many such lakes are observed at elevations of around 4500m. As the amount of water in these lakes increases, an increase in glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) is inevitable. There have been at least 35 GLOF events in Bhutan, China, and Nepal in the recent past. In the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, 204 glacial lakes have been identified as potentially dangerous, which can burst any time. In addition, high relief, steep slopes, complex geological structures with active tectonic processes and continued seismic activities, and a climate characterised by great seasonality in rainfall, all combine to make water-induced disasters common phenomena. Floods and droughts are likely to increase further due to a decline in glaciated areas causing reduced hydrological modulation, and to an increase in extreme precipitation events. In 2007 alone, more than 3400 lives were lost mainly as a result of flood related disasters with more than 40 million people affected in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The Koshi flood of 2008 took over 200 lives and affected more than 4 million people. The flood caused by the breach of the barrage in the Koshi basin in Nepal was not due to climate-induced events, but was related to the management and maintenance of the barrage. Nevertheless, this recent event provides a fresh learning opportunity for developing coping and adaptation strategies.
This seminar intends to raise the awareness of scientists, policymakers, and civil society, as well as the international community, of the magnitude and severity of the problem related to the effects of climate change on glacier melting and, in turn, on water-induced disasters that affect vulnerable communities in the river basins of the Himalayan region. The seminar will also address the adaptation and mitigation measures that need to be taken to build resilient communities in these basins.
Pre-Summit Side Event
Climate Change, Glacier Melting, and Water Induced Disasters in the Himalayan Region: The Case of Riverine Floods
Temperature increase is widespread over the globe with some areas, including the world’s highlands, showing markedly higher trends. The Himalayas have the largest concentration of ice in the world outside the Polar regions, with an estimated 34,500 square kilometres of glaciers in total. The climate change is having a profound impact on Himalayan valley glaciers, which are retreating at high rates that are accelerating. If the present trend continues, it is estimated that most valley glacier trunks and small glaciers will disappear by 2050. As valley glaciers retreat, glacial lakes can form behind the exposed end moraines. Many such lakes are observed at elevations of around 4500m. As the amount of water in these lakes increases, an increase in glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) is inevitable. There have been at least 35 GLOF events in Bhutan, China, and Nepal in the recent past. In the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, 204 glacial lakes have been identified as potentially dangerous, which can burst any time. In addition, high relief, steep slopes, complex geological structures with active tectonic processes and continued seismic activities, and a climate characterised by great seasonality in rainfall, all combine to make water-induced disasters common phenomena. Floods and droughts are likely to increase further due to a decline in glaciated areas causing reduced hydrological modulation, and to an increase in extreme precipitation events. In 2007 alone, more than 3400 lives were lost mainly as a result of flood related disasters with more than 40 million people affected in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. The Koshi flood of 2008 took over 200 lives and affected more than 4 million people. The flood caused by the breach of the barrage in the Koshi basin in Nepal was not due to climate-induced events, but was related to the management and maintenance of the barrage. Nevertheless, this recent event provides a fresh learning opportunity for developing coping and adaptation strategies.
This seminar intends to raise the awareness of scientists, policymakers, and civil society, as well as the international community, of the magnitude and severity of the problem related to the effects of climate change on glacier melting and, in turn, on water-induced disasters that affect vulnerable communities in the river basins of the Himalayan region. The seminar will also address the adaptation and mitigation measures that need to be taken to build resilient communities in these basins.