India, Sept. 15 -- The recent Nepal flash floods, like the 2023 Sikkim flash floods, underline the vulnerability of Himalayan ecosystems to melting glaciers, as anthropogenic warming of the planet gathers pace and intensity. A new study quantifies the extent of damage caused to the glaciers. Systemiq, a consultancy firm, in collaboration with the Integrated Mountain Initiative, using inputs from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, has found that Himalayan glaciers are melting 65% faster than a decade ago.

Settlements in the Himalayas, already perched on unstable surfaces, will likely face increased risks of glacier collapses and glacial lake outbur...