Global warming continues to stand as a chief culprit behind glacial melting, posing a significant flood threat to over 15 million individuals worldwide, according to Ansa. Rapidly expanding glacial lakes, which have surged by 50% since 1990, particularly endanger populations residing in Peru's Andes, the Tibetan Plateau, and the mountainous regions spanning China, India, and Pakistan. These alarming findings were brought to light by a global study led by the UK's New Castle University and published in Nature Communications.
Carolina Taylor, a key researcher in the study, emphasized: "It's crucial to note that the areas facing the greatest danger are not necessarily those with the largest or fastest-expanding lakes. The potential flood risk hinges upon the population size, their proximity to the glacial lake, and, most importantly, their capacity to handle a flood." The study also revealed that of the 15 million individuals residing within a 50km radius of a glacial lake, 9.3 million are in high-risk Asian mountainous regions. Among them, 5 million are located in India and Pakistan.
In conclusion, study co-author Rachel Carr underscores the importance of recognizing the most at-risk areas to implement effective risk management strategies. These measures can significantly reduce the loss of life and infrastructure damage. The countries currently facing the most severe flood risk due to rapidly growing glacial lakes include Peru, India, Pakistan, and China.
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