For weeks, India, but also Pakistan, have been hit by heat wave suffocate. The consequence, perhaps not well known, was the sudden rupture of glacial lakes. One of them happened this Saturday, May 7, 2022. It was a lake that formed in glacier Send. That flood the massive attack that followed destroyed part of the Karakoram road bridge. But luckily, there was no other damage to regret.
The sudden rupture of glacial lakes, such as here in Pakistan after a heat wave, is one of the most damaging effects of climate change. https://t.co/BlFH35oTRG
—Francois Gemenne (@Gemenne) May 8, 2022
On site, experts note that Shisper Glacier Lake — such lakes can form at the foot of, on, on, or even under glaciers from melting ice — emerged this year no less than a month earlier than usual. That hot that settled in the area caused the water to rise to unusual levels. Over 40% over the last twenty days. For the total rate 15% higher than recorded for the last three years.
The most worrying thing is the others glacial lake of the same breed – some estimate their number to be no less than 33 – could suffer the same fate in the days to come. In areas most at risk, residents have been relocated as a precaution.
Among the possible adaptations — which do not solve the fundamental problem of global warmingbut defend the population as much as possible from its influence: the drainage glacial lake. As is done under the Tête Rousse glacier in the Alps. A tunnel to evacuate water pockets. And to withstand a bit more risk, the titanic pumping operation.
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