GS Question

The melting of Himalayan glaciers is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India in several ways:

1. Reduced water availability: Glaciers act as natural reservoirs, storing vast amounts of freshwater that gradually melt and supply downstream rivers and streams throughout the year. As the glaciers shrink, the rate of freshwater supply will decrease, leading to reduced water availability in the long term. This will particularly impact regions dependent on glacier-fed rivers, such as the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra basins.

2. Altered river flow patterns: Glacial meltwater provides a consistent flow during dry seasons and acts as a buffer against extreme fluctuations in river flow. With reduced glacier volume, river flow patterns will likely change, becoming more erratic and seasonal. This can lead to water shortages during critical times, affecting agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and overall water availability.

3. Increased risk of water-related disasters: Glacial melt can cause glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) when the damming moraine holding glacial lakes ruptures, leading to sudden and massive release of water downstream. As the rate of glacier melting accelerates, the risk of GLOFs will increase, potentially impacting areas around glacier-fed rivers and causing substantial damage to infrastructure, settlements, and agriculture.

4. Adverse impact on agriculture: Agriculture is heavily reliant on river water for irrigation. Reduced water availability and altered river flow patterns can negatively affect crop productivity, disrupt farming practices, and potentially result in food scarcity. This can have severe socio-economic consequences in a country where a significant population relies on agriculture for their livelihoods.

5. Threat to freshwater biodiversity: Himalayan glaciers and their associated rivers are home to numerous unique and diverse freshwater species. The loss of glacier-fed rivers due to reduced freshwater supply can lead to the degradation and loss of freshwater habitats, endangering the survival of many species, disrupting ecological balance, and impacting local ecosystems.

Overall, the melting of Himalayan glaciers poses a significant challenge to India's water resources, affecting water availability, river flow patterns, water-related disasters, agriculture, and freshwater biodiversity. It calls for coordinated efforts in understanding and mitigating the impacts of climate change to secure sustainable water resources for the country.