Potential floods from rapidly melting glaciers in the Himalayan
region are alarming Chinese researchers who believe the surge could
be capable of causing extensive human havoc.
Concerned Chinese researchers are considering sharing satellite
monitoring resources and air-borne remote-control surveys with
neighboring nations like Nepal and India.
Ren Jiawen, a top Chinese glacial researcher with the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, said: "We have been watching and monitoring
the movements of the glaciers for years and we think efforts for
regional co-operation are on the cards."
Ren said in an interview Sunday that a regional approach will
upgrade the monitoring and combat systems of such a trans-national
issue.
Such an approach has also been proposed by researchers from Nepal
and the United Nations' Environment
Programme (UNEP), China Daily has learned.
Glacial floods are not a new phenomenon, but there is evidence that
the frequency of such events has risen over the past three
decades.
The lakes are rapidly filling with icy water as rising temperatures
in the region speed up the melting rate of the glaciers,
researchers said.
Tens of thousands of residents are at risk from the floods along
with people's properties and businesses, having the potential to
cause havoc on the region's economy.
According to the latest UNEP report which was released in April, at
least 44 glacial lakes in Bhutan and Nepal could burst the banks in
as little as five years' time.
Surendra Shrestha, regional co-ordinator in Asia for UNEP's
Division of Early Warning and Assessment, has also warned that
other areas in the Himalayas and across the world are in a similar
critical state.
About 12 glacier incidents have been recorded in China's Tibet
since 1935. The latest one took place in 1981 and destroyed three
concrete bridges and crippled a long section of the Nepal-China
Highway.
P.K. Mool, a leading researcher from the Nepal-based International
Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) urged joint
efforts in inventory, monitoring, mitigation work and early warning
systems.
UNEP said it is ready to assist by mobilizing necessary resources
for regional partnerships in the Himalayan area.
Shrestha said UNEP has discussed such moves with the Chinese
Government.
Ren confirmed Sunday that delegates from UNEP have talked with top
officials from the China Meteorological Administration on joint
monitoring projects.
He
further stated that Chinese experts have applied to the Ministry of
Science and Technology for financial aid to conduct further
research.
Researchers, however are also battling against a lack of funding
for appropriate technology.
On
average, air temperatures in the Himalayan region are 1 C higher
than during the 1970s, a rise of 0.06 C per year, according to the
UNEP report.
"Climate change is the biggest threat facing mankind. Extreme
weather, droughts and a rise in disease are forecast for many
countries all over the world in the coming decades," said Klaus
Toepfer, executive director of UNEP.
"We now have another compelling reason to act to reduce emissions
of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases," said Toepfer.
(China
Daily June 3, 2002)