New Delhi, July 10 -- Hindu Kush Himalayas are experiencing an alarming rise in glacial-origin floods, according to scientists from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) occurs when water is suddenly released from a lake fed by a melting glacier.

In the 2000s, a glacial origin flood was expected to hit the Hindu Kush Himalaya region once every five to 10 years. However, in the last two months alone - during May and June 2025 - ICIMOD has recorded three such floods in the region: in Nepal (Limi), Afghanistan (Andorab valley) and Pakistan (Chitral, Hunza).

"The acceleration of these types of events is completely unprecedented in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. We nee...