Nepal

Risk of Imja glacial lake outburst down

Risk of Imja glacial lake outburst down

By Rastriya Samachar Samiti

File - Imja glacial lake in Solukhumbu district. Photo: THT

Solukhumbu, November 23 The risk of a possible disaster from Imja Glacial Lake in Solukhumbu district has decreased after the Nepali Army succeeded in lowering its water level. NA personnel worked hard for eight months to avert possible danger from the lake and finally succeeded in bringing down the water level by 3.4 meters. The lake is one of the fastest growing glacial lakes in the Himalayas which is at a high risk of bursting. The United Nations Development Programme funded the Community Based Flood and Glacial Lake Outburst Risk Reduction Project to reduce the lake’s water level. The NA had started work on the project last April. The UNDP funded Rs 300 million for implementation of the project. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology will now regularly monitor the status of the lake and manage it. Minister for Defence Balkrishna Khand was here today to inaugurate a technical structure installed at Khumjung here after success in lowering the water level. On the occasion, he applauded the NA for its accomplishment. Minister for Population and Environment Jayadev Joshi speaking on the occasion said the successful accomplishment of the NA in reducing a possible danger from Imja Lake has proved its competence in multiple fronts.