NEPAL Imja Valley -- 16 Apr 2005 -- The Imja Khola River is but an icy trickle at this time of year in the high Imja Valley. Above is the Lhotse Glacier and Island Peak or Imja Tse (6165m)

NEPAL Imja Valley -- 16 Apr 2005 -- The Imja Khola River is but an icy trickle at this time of year in the high Imja Valley. Above is the Lhotse Glacier and Island Peak or Imja Tse (6165m) Scientists have warned that rising temperatures from global warming may cause the demise of these Himalayan ice falls and glaciers. The effects of this are likely to affect many Asian nations, as these glaciers - and those in neighbouring Tibet - feed most of the large river systems from Pakistan to China. Widespread flooding has already began and more are expected. In the 2004 Monsoon, some 30 million people in Nepal, India and Bangladesh were affected by serious flooding. Scientists add that after the glaciers have melted, their departure will lead to widespread drought across many areas of Asia