NEPAL Trakarding Glacier -- 16 Apr 2005 -- An aerial view of Tsho Rolpa, a glacial lake high up on the Trakarding Glacier.

NEPAL Trakarding Glacier -- 16 Apr 2005 -- An aerial view of Tsho Rolpa, a glacial lake high up on the Trakarding Glacier. It is remarkable as it is one of 21 (2007 stat) known areas with a severe risk of 'glacial overburst' - when water coming from glacier melts builds up in a natural lake, like the Tsho Rolpa (Chhyugima Pokhari) pictured here (centre) and bursts through the moraine, flooding areas below. This case of glacial overburst threatens many kilometers of river valleys, mainly along the course of the Rolwaling River and the Tamakhosi River further west, etc. Amazingly, in the 1960s, this lake was not much larger than the avverage duck pond 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 began and is expected to continue. 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. NB Peaks visible in this image are Chukyima Go (centre right) -- Picture © Jon Mitchell / Lightroom Photos