HUNZA: In the northern reaches of Pakistan, Tariq Jamil, at 51, takes on the challenging task of monitoring glacier movement in the steep Hunza valley. Armed with sensors and a nearby camera, he compiles data from the Shisper glacier to keep his village, Hassanabad, informed about potential threats.
Hassanabad, nestled in the Karakoram mountains, faces increasing risks due to unstable lakes formed by melting glacier ice. These lakes, when overflowing or weakened, can trigger devastating floods across the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan mountain ranges.
Forecasts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) indicate a potential 75 percent loss of Himalayan glacier ice by the end of the century due to global warming. To address this, the village participates in the UN-supported Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) II initiative, aiming to protect downstream communities vulnerable to glacier melt.
Despite limited funding to assist those affected by climate change, the villagers emphasize the urgent need for increased support to adapt and prepare for potential glacial lake floods. Pakistan, the sole recipient of adaptation funding from the Green Climate Fund, plays a crucial role in mitigating flood risks under the Paris Agreement.
The $36.96 million GLOF II project, set to conclude in early 2025, serves as a global standard for regions facing similar dangers, from the Peruvian Andes to China. Since 2017, weather stations and sensors have monitored various factors, and infrastructure like stone-and-wire barriers has been implemented to impede floodwaters.
In the face of the escalating threat of glacial lake floods, Pakistan ranks among the most vulnerable nations, with 800,000 people living within 15 kilometers of a glacier. The recent floods in neighboring India serve as a stark reminder of the potential consequences.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that globally, 15 million people face the looming threat of glacial lake flooding, with 2 million in Pakistan alone. Between 2018 and 2021, Pakistan experienced approximately 14 glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), with a significant spike to 75 in 2022, as reported by the UNDP.
Tariq Jamil’s village, Hassanabad, has narrowly escaped devastating floods multiple times, but the fear persists. Evacuations, though precise, have taken a severe financial toll on the community, with homes and lands repeatedly destroyed.
In Chalt village, tragedy struck when floods claimed the life of Zahra Ramzan’s eleven-year-old son, Ali Mohammad. The lack of information about impending risks leaves residents like Ramzan in perpetual apprehension during heavy rains.
Jamil and a team of volunteers in Hassanabad have taken proactive measures, monitoring the glacier and seeking expert guidance. Their aspirations include securing international funding to extend protective barriers, interest-free loans for reconstruction, and improved mobile reception for better preparedness.
As the UN’s COP28 climate summit approaches, pressure mounts on affluent nations to fulfill commitments to aid developing countries. The delay in meeting the $100-billion climate finance pledge adds urgency to the situation, especially with irreversible changes to glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region highlighted by ICIMOD’s report. The village of Darkut, part of the GLOF II project, stands as a testament to the transforming landscape, with a turquoise lake formed after the glacier’s retreat.
Researcher Sher Muhammad warns of escalating risks from both moraine-dammed and ice-dammed lakes, emphasizing the need for community awareness. Muhammad Yasin, a researcher, actively studies Darkut glacier’s melting and emphasizes the importance of informing the community about existing risk factors in the lake.
