Bhutan: The danger of melting glaciers | Global 3000

2010-06-29 9

Bhutan, the little kingdom in the Himalayas, is also threatened by global warming. The United Nations Environmental Program says that Bhutan’s glaciers are receding by 30 to 40 meters each year. The melting masses of ice are rapidly filling the mountain lakes.

Bhutan has more than 2,600 lakes. 24 of them are considered dangerously overfull, in particular the Thorthormi glacial lake in the far north of the country. Its capacity could soon be surpassed. If it overflows, the Pho Chhu Valley would be flooded. Bhutan is taking measures to prevent that.