Hindu-Kush ice melt: 2 Billion Asians to face water shortage
Sustainability
According to a United Nations Development Program report published this week, almost two billion people in south-east Asia could face a water & food shortage as the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) ranges lose upto two-thirds of their ice cap by 2100.
The report states that this would not only affect access to drinking water but also reduce the water availability for agriculture (impacting food security), hydroelectricity production, tourism etc.
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, called the ‘Third Pole’, is spread over 3500 square kilometres across eight countries including India, Nepal and China.
What is causing the ice to melt?
Another report published last week by the World Bank emphasized the impact of black carbon in accelerating the melting of glaciers in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.
Black Carbon, consisting of pure carbon, forms through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. Unlike other greenhouse gases, black carbon is a short-lived pollutant that can be eliminated from the atmosphere if emissions stop. Domestic burning of wood, coal contribute to 45–66% of these emissions in the region.
What is the probable impact?
The HKH region lies downwind to some of the most polluted places on Earth. This threatens change in weather patterns and the monsoon. This can lead to erratic rainfall that further causes natural calamities like landslides, floods and inundation of the basins. The cases of cloud bursts, dam breaks, flash floods and landslides are already increasing in the Himalayan region every year.
Even in the best scenarios, the report said that High Mountain Asia (Asian mountain ranges surrounding the Tibetan Plateau) would lose a substantial part of its cryosphere in the next decades and thus, a substantial part of its water storage abilities.
Cryosphere comprises of portions of Earth’s surface where water is in the solid form including sea ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice caps, ice sheets, etc.
Report’s recommendations to manage the water stress
- Farmers will need support to design and invest in locally appropriate water storage solutions
- Designs of new hydropower plants to take into account the changing climate and water availability
- Capacity-building for early warning systems and infrastructure design to be improved
Like what you read? Share this article with your friends and follow us on:
Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | Newsletter
