Water level of at-risk Glacial Lakes to be lowered

Kathmandu, Sept 13: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has stated that the government is making necessary preparations to lower the level of water in the glacial lakes that are designated to be at risk of out bursting.

We need to scientifically drain water from these lakes to mitigate risk and a decision will be taken once the necessary preparations are complete, he said.

Noting that consultations with experts are ongoing regarding risk reduction, the Energy Minister stated that the decision to lower water levels would be based on the assessed level of risk. The work of lowering water levels in glacial lakes deemed to be in the danger zone will be initiated this year in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and local governments, utilizing support received from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

According to a joint study by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), there are 21 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Nepal. Four of these located in the Koshi and Gandaki are classified as being at extremely high risk of GLOF.