Receding glacier on the Nepal-China border identified, which shows visible patterns of ice loss

By Jag Jivan*

As the inaugural UN World Day for Glaciers arrives on March 21, Suhora Technologies, a prominent Indian earth observation and analytics company specializing in downstream space analytics, has brought attention to a pressing issue—alarming expansion trends in some glacial lakes within the Himalayan region. This phenomenon poses increasing risks to surrounding communities.

The World Day for Glaciers, organized by the United Nations, underscores the vital role glaciers, snow, and ice play in the global climate and water systems. It is a call to action for humanity to safeguard these essential natural reserves for future generations.

Suhora's extensive research has inventoried around 33,000 glacial & non-glacial lakes, including supraglacial lakes, distributed across 630 glaciers within the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra basins in the Himalayan range and neighboring regions. Their findings highlight that, while not all these lakes are expanding, several have grown significantly in recent years, leading to concerns over potential Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). These rapid expansions, driven by glacial melt exacerbated by climate change, underscore the necessity for proactive monitoring and mitigation. Additionally, glaciers themselves are retreating at an accelerated rate.

Suhora’s monitoring has identified a receding glacier on the Nepal–China border, which shows visible patterns of ice loss, raising further alarm over the rapid pace of these transformations. Notably, the 2023 South Lhonak Lake outburst in Sikkim serves as a grim reminder of the destructive capacity of such events, which can devastate infrastructure, disrupt livelihoods, and result in significant loss of life.

The data shared by Suhora reveals stark examples:

- Lake in Darma-Yangti Valley: Lake A grew from 10.3 hectares in 2013 to 17 hectares in 2024, while Lake B increased from 1.11 hectares to 1.7 hectares over the same period.

- Ghepan Ghat, Himachal Pradesh: This lake expanded from 86.9 hectares in 2016 to 105 hectares in 2024.

- Panikhar Lake, Ladakh: Surface area rose from 33.8 hectares in 2016 to 53.1 hectares in 2024.

- Masar Tal, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand: The lake grew from 23.2 hectares in 2011 to 37.9 hectares in 2024.

- Ka’er Glacier, China: Lake 1 increased from 28 hectares in 1967 to 126 hectares in 2024, while Lake 2 expanded from 51 hectares to 176 hectares over the same timeframe.

Suhora is actively developing downstream solutions, combining satellite intelligence, sensor-based monitoring, and predictive analytics to tackle these risks. Early warning systems, controlled drainage techniques, and community preparedness are key strategies Suhora advocates for reducing disaster risks.

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*Freelance writer

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