KATHMANDU: Major three glacial lakes in the country do not pose any threat to human settlements downstream, even after the devastating April 25 earthquake, according to a study conducted by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

The study has found that major glacial lakes - Tsho Rolpa of Dolakha, Imja of Solukhumbu and Thulagi of Manang - are normal and not likely to spread the risk to people.

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (MoSTE) had mobilised the teams of experts to study the condition of these main glacial lakes after news reports claimed that the April 25 earthquake and mighty aftershocks had put these lakes into risk.

Director General at the Department, Rishiraj Sharma, said at a press meet on Sunday that condition of these major three glacial lakes was normal.

There were no traces of earthquake effects in the Imja glacial lake and although there were very small fissures around the Tsho Rolpa, it was not dangerous, he said.

The 270-metre deep Tsho Rolpa Lake is located at an altitude of 4,580 metre while Imja with a maximum depth of 116 metrs is located at the height of 5,010 metres.

Similarly, the Thulagi glacial lake located at 4,146 metres is 81-metre deep.

The Department has been conducting inspection, research and study on the glacial lakes since 1988.

A survey conducted by the ICIMOD, an international non-government organisation, in 2001, had shown that there were 2323 glacial lakes in Nepal and 21 among these were at a high risk.

Secretary at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, Krishna Chandra Paudel, said the Ministry had formed a rapid environment assessment committee after the earthquake to assess its effects on the environment.

Equipment to be installed for prior information of earthquake

Meanwhile, the Ministry has informed that ultramodern equipment are being installed in different parts of the country to get prior information about the earthquake.

Ministry Secretary Paudel said 80 such equipment are being brought from China as assistance.

The equipment give information about the earthquake before 20 to 25 seconds, the Ministry said.