per decade in HKH region — nearly double global avg
Glacial Lake Growth — Hindu Kush Himalayan Region
From 2,417 glacial lakes in 1990 to 3,624 in 2024, the Hindu Kush Himalayan region's glacial inventory has expanded by more than 50% — each additional lake a potential flood threat for the populations below.
Source: ICIMOD · 3,624 lakes monitored across 8 countries as of 2024
Glacial Lakes in HKH Region (1990–2024)
The Hindu Kush Himalayan region has added over 1,200 glacial lakes since 1990, driven by accelerating glacial melt. Each new lake represents a potential outburst threat above populated river valleys.
Source: ICIMOD glacial lake inventories
GLOF Events per Year (2000–2024)
Recorded glacial lake outburst floods in the HKH region have grown from 3 per year in 2000 to 22 in 2024 — a sevenfold increase over two decades.
Source: ICIMOD GLOF database
HKH Regional Temperature Anomaly (°C above 1981–2010 baseline)
The Hindu Kush Himalayan region has warmed by more than 2°C above the pre-industrial baseline — nearly double the global mean surface temperature increase — at a rate of ~0.5°C per decade.
Source: ICIMOD regional assessments
Key Questions
Data as of Aug 28, 2026. Confirmed casualty and missing-persons figures subject to revision as rescue operations continue. USAID 2025 funding reflects estimated post-DOGE budget trajectory. All dollar figures in USD.