Environment
Centre tells Lok Sabha climate change and human activity are intensifying Himalayan extreme weather
What happened
The Indian government has informed the Lok Sabha that climate change and human activity are primary drivers behind the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Himalayas. This assessment highlights the growing risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities in the region.
Key facts
The Centre cited climate change models and satellite data to link extreme weather to global warming.
Human encroachment in fragile Himalayan zones has increased by 15% in the past decade, per government records.
The Chamoli disaster (2021), triggered by a glacial lake outburst, was cited as a recent example.
Glacial retreat in the Himalayas has accelerated to ~0.3 metres per year since 2000.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has flagged 170 high-risk glacial lakes in Uttarakhand alone.
Context
- The Himalayas are a biodiversity hotspot and a critical water source for South Asia.
- Extreme weather events include flash floods, landslides, and unseasonal snowfall.
- The region has seen accelerated glacial retreat in recent decades.
- Human activities such as deforestation, construction, and tourism exacerbate environmental stress.
Why it matters
- Rising extreme weather in the Himalayas threatens water security for millions downstream.
- Increased glacial melt and landslides endanger infrastructure like roads and hydropower projects.
- Vulnerable communities face heightened risks of displacement and livelihood loss.
- The findings underscore the need for adaptation strategies in India’s northern states.