Hindu Kush Himalayas

Hindu Kush Himalayas : Recently, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reported an alarming rise in Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH), often referred to as the "Third Pole".

o Within just two months, the region experienced three GLOF events, a frequency never observed before, attributed to accelerated glacier melting and extreme temperature fluctuations.

• About GLOFs : A sudden release of water from a glacial lake, typically due to the failure of natural dams such as moraines or ice barriers.

o These events are often triggered by: Rapid glacier melting, Ice or rock avalanches, Landslides and Collapse of moraine or ice dams

o Glacial lakes are bodies of water formed by the melting of glacial ice, usually located in depressions or basins carved by moving glaciers.

o These lakes form due to the accumulation of meltwater behind natural barriers such as moraines or ice walls.

o Types of Glacial Lakes (based on formation process): Moraine-dammed lakes, Ice-dammed lakes, Erosion lakes and Other types (formed through complex or combined processes)

• About Hindu Kush Himalaya : Covers an area of around 4.2 million square kilometers.

o Spans approximately 3,500 km across eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan.

o The range runs northeast to southwest, separating the Amu Darya valley to the north from the Indus River valley to the south.

o In the east, it merges with the Pamir range near the tri-junction of China, Pakistani-administered Kashmir, and Afghanistan, and then continues southwest into Pakistan and Afghanistan, eventually splitting into smaller ranges in western Afghanistan.

o Features numerous high, snow-covered peaks, with the highest point being Tirich Mir (7,708 meters or 25,289 ft) in Chitral, Pakistan.

o Divided into three sections: Eastern Hindu Kush, Central Hindu Kush and  Western Hindu Kush (also known as the Bābā Mountains)