Scientists have warned that about 15 million people across the world are exposed to risks of floods caused by outbursts of glacial lakes.
The team of researchers published their paper on Tuesday in the science journal Nature Communications.
The lakes are formed by melting glaciers. Rising average temperatures have led to more water collecting there.
Villages downstream of these lakes risk heavy damage should the water burst through barriers, sending a torrent rushing down mountain valleys.
The team examined the conditions of glacial lakes and the distribution of downstream populations as of 2020 and identified high-risk areas and population sizes.
They said more than half of the globally vulnerable population are in India, Pakistan, Peru and China.
They also singled out the Andes as a region of concern, pointing out that comparatively few published studies have been done on this area despite its high risk.
The team of researchers published their paper on Tuesday in the science journal Nature Communications.
The lakes are formed by melting glaciers. Rising average temperatures have led to more water collecting there.
Villages downstream of these lakes risk heavy damage should the water burst through barriers, sending a torrent rushing down mountain valleys.
The team examined the conditions of glacial lakes and the distribution of downstream populations as of 2020 and identified high-risk areas and population sizes.
They said more than half of the globally vulnerable population are in India, Pakistan, Peru and China.
They also singled out the Andes as a region of concern, pointing out that comparatively few published studies have been done on this area despite its high risk.
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Summary
15 million people worldwide are at flood risk from glacial lake outbursts, according to a study published in Nature Communications. The lakes are formed by melting glaciers and the rising average temperatures have caused an increase in water collection. High-risk areas identified include India,
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ID: 6d1c795c-cf3e-40b5-a32f-9db56ef7a356
Category ID: nhk
URL: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230208_15/
Date: Feb. 8, 2023
Created: 2023/02/08 22:48
Updated: 2025/12/09 07:42
Last Read: 2023/02/09 10:15