Yala Glacier in Himalayas Projected to Vanish by 2040s

Context: Yala Glacier in Nepal is predicted to disappear by the 2040s due to rapid retreat and mass loss.

About Yala Glacier Retreat

• Location: Langtang Valley, central Nepal.
• It is one of the most studied glaciers in Nepal and represents the Hindu Kush Himalayan region in the World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) database.
• It is the only glacier in the Himalayas listed on the Global Glacier Casualty List.
• It has retreated by 680 meters between 1974 and 2021, with a 36% reduction in area during this period.
• The Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) cryosphere is warming twice as fast as the global average, leading to rapid glacial retreat.

Yala Glacier in Nepal Set to Vanish by 2040s

The Yala Glacier, located in Nepal’s Langtang National Park, has been significantly retreating due to the effects of climate change.

• Retreat Measurements: Between 1974 and 2021, the glacier retreated by 680 meters, representing a 36% reduction in its area.
• Elevation Decline: Its elevation has decreased from 5,170 meters to 5,750 meters since 2011.
• Projected Disappearance: Scientists predict that the Yala Glacier may vanish by the 2040s.

Implications of Yala Glacier

This retreat has significant implications:

• Water Security: The glacier is a vital source of freshwater for millions of people in the region. Its disappearance would severely impact water availability.
• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): The accelerated melting of the glacier contributes to the formation of unstable glacial lakes. These lakes can potentially breach, causing devastating floods in downstream communities.
• Climate Change Indicator: The retreat of the Yala Glacier serves as a stark reminder of the accelerating impacts of climate change on the Himalayan cryosphere.

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