Himalayas Running Out of Water: 20% of India’s GDP at Risk as 200 Glacial Lakes Linked to Ganga, Yamuna Found High-Risk

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 01:37pm on 15 Sep 2026,Tuesday Weather & Environment

The Himalayas are facing a serious water crisis as glaciers are losing mass 65% faster than a decade ago, a new report has warned. Nearly 200 glacial lakes have been identified as high-risk, including 56 classified as very high risk in India. These lakes are linked to major rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna and Brahmaputra, raising concerns over floods, water shortages and the safety of downstream communities. The report says Himalayan water systems underpin more than 20% of India’s GDP, supporting agriculture, hydropower, tourism and millions of livelihoods. It warns the region could reach “peak water” by mid-century. (PC: X)

Read More at Economic Times

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