Himalayas running out of water, 20% of India's GDP at risk: 200 glacial lakes linked to rivers like Ganga,
- Posted on September 14, 2026
- By Business News Today
- 1 Views
- 1 min read
In brief
A comprehensive study by Systemiq and the Integrated Mountain Initiative reveals an alarming environmental crisis in the Himalayas, where accelerated glacier retreat threatens the economic backbone of South Asia. With glacial melting rates surging 65% compared to the previous decade, approximately 200 high-risk glacial lakes pose catastrophic flooding hazards. This deterioration directly endangers over one-fifth of India's gross domestic product, jeopardizing water resources, agricultural productivity, and economic stability for more than a billion people across the region.
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Himalayas running out of water, 20% of India's GDP at risk: 200 glacial lakes linked to rivers like Ganga,
A new report by Systemiq and the Integrated Mountain Initiative, backed by the Rockefeller Foundation, warns that the Himalayas are approaching a tipping point, with glaciers melting 65 percent faster than a decade ago. Nearly 200 glacial lakes have been rated high risk, and the region underpins over 20 percent of India's GDP, putting water, food and economic security at stake for hundreds of millions of people.
