Appraising Climate Change and Its Influence on Glaciers of South Asian Himalayan Region

Climate change is currently a perilous phenomenon that has deleterious economic, social and environmental impacts. Climatic fluctuations directly affect the hydrology of an area, which in turn plays a significant role in the economy of any country. In South Asia, Himalayan glaciers shrinkage at high elevated areas is more pronounced at unprecedented rates causes major change in seasonal freshwater flow regimes. Therefore, the present study is aimed at reviewing and analyzing the cryosphere dynamics of Himalayan region of South Asia. Glacier retreat has resulted in the increase of the number and size of glacial lakes at exposed end moraines; resulting in glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Nepal and Bhutan are two hot spot areas for Glacier retreat. It is predicted that climate change will continue to proceed, temperature will rise globally in the same way. Thus, there is a need to articulate a coordinated strategy to deal effectively with water management issues and risk of GLOFs events.