Impact of Climate Change

on

Himalayan Range

Nepal Country Paper

Introduction:• Himalayan Range: Reservoir of fresh water; • Glaciers played a key role fresh water;• 3,252 nos. of glaciers covering 5,324 sq. km.• 20 lakes potentially dangerous • GLACIER LAKE

OUTBURSTFLOOD (GLOF)

Introduction contd…..Glaciers and Glacial Lakes of Nepal:River Basin

Glaciers Glacial LakesNumber Area

(km2)Ice Reserves (km2)

Number Area (km2)

Koshi 779 1,409.84 152.06 1,061 25.09Gandaki 1,025 2,030.25 191.39 338 12.50

Karnali 1,361 1,687.14 127.63 907 37.67Mahakali 87 143.33 10.06 16 0.38Total 3,252 5,323.89 481.23 2,323 75.70

Source: ICIMOD

Introduction contd….• Global Warming: As per IPCC 2001 increase in

temp. 1.4 to 5.8 oC over hundred years;

• Break of moraine damdamage to infrastructure,inhabitants andeco-system;

• Expected futureGLOF in NEPAL.

Figure: Rise in temperature vs years

GLOF in NEPAL:

•Destructive Impact observed: Dig Tsho GLOF in Aug. 4, ‘85

• List of GLOF in NepalSN Year River Basin Name of Lake Cause Damages

1 450 yr. ago

Seti Khola Machhapuchre Ice-coredMoraine Collapse

Pokhara covered by 50-60 th. debris

2 Aug. 1935 Sun Kosi Taraco Moraine collapse due to seepage

3 Sept. 1964 Arun Gelhaipo Glacier sliding to Lake

Dam breach, 23 mil. M3

water drained

4 1964 Sun Kosi Zhangzanbo Moraine collapse due to seepage

5 1964 Trisuli Longda

6 1964 Arun Ayaco Lake burst 3 times: 1968/69/70

Road, bridges etc.

GLOF in NEPAL contd…..SN Year River Basin Name of Lake Cause Damages

7 1969 Arun Ayaco

8 1970 Arun Ayaco

9 Sept. 1977 Dudh Koshi Nare Ice-core moraine collapse

Minihydro, road, farmland etc.

10 1980 Tamur Punchan Ice-core moraine collapse

Village destroyed

11 July 1981 Sun Koshi Zhangzanbo Glacier falling into Lake

Arniko highway, Sunkosi Hydropower et

12 Aug 1982 Arun Jinco Glacier falling into Lake

Live stock, farmland, houses etc.

13 Aug.1985 Dudh Koshi Dig Tsho Glacier ice avalanche

Hydropower, bridges, farmland etc.

14 July 1991 Tama Kosi Chubung Collapse of Ripimo Shar glacier

Houses, farmland etc.

15 May 1995 Kali Gandaki Tsarang Chu u/s of Mustang

(Information of a trekker)

16 Sept. 1998 Dudh Koshi Tam Pokhari Ice avalanche Human Lives and other property

Source: WECS

Mitigation Measures:• Reducing volume of water• Protecting infrastructure• Monitoring system• Preventive measures against

avalanches

Tsho Rolpa is the one with mitigation measures

Mr. Ken Noguchi, a frequent trekker, made a statement

IMJA GLACIAL Lakeneed mitigation measures to prevent vulnerability in Lukla and surrounding as well as

downstreamJan.23, 2008 Kantipur Daily

Mitigation Measures contd…

Bathometric survey and Longitudinal Section

• Volume of water stored in 2001 is 35.8 mil. M3

• IMJA Lake is with a rapid growth history

• Growth of the lake could be monitored with periodic Satellite Imageries

Yamada: 1992

Changes in Glacier Lakes2000 land sat 1st image2nd image ALOS AVNIR 2 2007

Changes in IMJA Glacier Lake1st image: Corona 1962

2nd image: ALOS AVNIR 2 2007

Conclusion:• Lack of institutional organization for

systematic investigation;

• Collaborate among WECS, DHM, DWIDP, ICIMOD, WWF and NGOs/INGOs;

• Desirable recommendation:- Intensive effort in HRD- Reinforce existing institutions- Accessible national database centre.

Demonstration BasinBAGMATI BASIN

• Area : 3700 sq.km• Agricultural Area: 639 sq. km• Population: 2 Million• One of the middle sized rivers in Nepal• Originates from Lower Mountain and passes

through the two lower physiographic regions• Important from the view point of water

resources development, Disaster Mitigation and controlling pollution.

Location Map : Bagmati Basin

BAGMATI BASIN PROGRESS

• Maps prepared in GIS – Topographic– Socio maps– River Networks maps prepared– Land Use and Veg. Characteristics– Administrative boundaries– Road Network

• Data Collected– Stream Flows – Soil Temperature– Precipitation, Air Temp. Humidity, Wind, Pressure,

Snow, Evaporation

BAGMATI BASIN PROGRESS…….

• Data upload– Completed

• Quality Control– Completed

• Waiting for further action to be taken

THANK YOU