Himalayan climate risks drive glacier collapses and water scarcity

The Himalayan mountain range is facing increasing instability due to rising temperatures and shifting monsoon patterns. A significant event occurred on August 26, 2026, when a large section of a glacier in Nepal’s Rasuwa region collapsed from an altitude of approximately 5,200 metres. This collapse triggered a massive debris flow that flooded the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems, with water levels rising up to nine metres in 30 minutes. The disaster destroyed over 10 hydropower projects, 30 bridges, and 50 kilometres of highways.

While initially suspected to be an earthquake, seismic analysis and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified the event as a sudden glacier collapse associated with a debris flow. This highlights how climate change is altering the structure of geological risks in the region.

In response to melting glaciers and increasing water scarcity, communities in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan are utilizing an indigenous practice known as glacier grafting, or ‘Gang Khswa’. This method involves transporting ice from ‘male’ glaciers (debris-heavy) and ‘female’ glaciers (clearer ice) to high-altitude grafting sites to create artificial glaciers. This traditional technique serves as a way to secure reliable water sources for irrigation and livestock amidst a changing climate.