Nepal is planning to drain four high-altitude glacial lakes following deadly flooding, with officials outlining a project to reduce future flood risk. The initiative comes after the floods earlier this year cause loss of life and damage, prompting renewed focus on hazards linked to melting glaciers.
Across reports, the proposed effort is described as a multi-year program that could take up to six years to complete. The Express Tribune and ABC Australia say the work involves draining four glacial lakes, while NDTV adds that the plan also includes related measures rather than drainage alone. NDTV reports the government will begin studies and that the overall project budget is about $50 million.
The sources also describe international and domestic funding and broader risk-reduction components. The Express Tribune notes the project’s funding framework involves the Green Climate Fund and the UN Development Programme, alongside government support, and says the total cost is $50 million. NDTV adds that the package includes flood-warning efforts and downstream resilience measures, such as preparation and protection for communities below the lakes.
