Nepal plans to drain four glacial lakes after deadly floods, tell me about this news today
02-10-2026
Nepal announced a $50 million, six-year climate initiative aimed at lowering water levels across four high-risk glacial lakes to prevent catastrophic Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
Українські Національні Новини (УНН)The Trigger for ActionThe initiative comes in the wake of severe disasters triggered by glacial collapse, landslides, and flash flooding in regions bordering China, which left over 1,400 people dead and thousands missing. Rapidly rising temperatures driven by climate change have accelerated Himalayan glacier retreat, expanding high-altitude lakes and increasing pressure on unstable natural moraine dams.
UA.NEWSThe Target LakesThe project focuses on four glacial lakes situated at elevations between 4,050 and 5,483 meters:
UA.NEWSLower Barun
UA.NEWSTulagi
UA.NEWSLumding Tso
UA.NEWSHongu II
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Controlled Drainage: Water will be gradually siphoned and channeled into adjacent river networks through engineered canals and drainage paths. Glaciology experts estimate that lowering water levels by roughly 3 meters significantly reduces breach hazards.
UA.NEWS+ 1Early Warning Infrastructure: Beyond excavation, the project covers the deployment of hydrological sensors, automated monitoring gear, and early-warning alert networks for downstream settlements.
UA.NEWSPartnership & Financing: The effort is funded jointly through the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Government of Nepal.
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Nepal has successfully carried out similar engineering operations in the past, including lowering the water levels of Tsho Rolpa in 2000 and Imja Lake near Mount Everest roughly a decade ago to avert similar burst threats.