Strengthen transnational collaboration to respond to glacier disaster risks
——Interview with Anhua, Ph.D. in Geotechnical and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University
On August 26, a sudden glacier collapse in the border area of Nepal triggered a severe mudslide disaster, causing heavy casualties and loss of contact between China and Nepal. It was the most serious cross-border disaster between the two countries in recent years. The disaster relief work is unprecedentedly complex and arduous. "The huge destructiveness of this disaster shows that the risk of mountain glacier disasters has obvious cross-regional and cross-border characteristics. Countries should further strengthen glacier monitoring, early warning and risk assessment, and jointly respond to the increasingly severe glacier disaster risks in the context of climate change through transnational cooperation." Dr. Anhua, who graduated from Stanford University in the United States with a major in geotechnical and environmental engineering, said in an interview with a reporter from the Global Times recently.
Anwar said that compared with most previous glacier collapse events, an important reason why this disaster was so destructive is that the ice collapse occurred in the Himalayas with high altitude and steep slopes. After the huge ice mass collapsed, it violently impacted the mountain, carrying a large amount of rocks and debris downward. The vertical drop was as high as several thousand meters, and it accelerated rapidly due to the steep terrain. "This destructive mechanism is also similar to a volcanic eruption. When the water flow is mixed with rough volcanic sand and a large amount of debris, it will be like a powerful 'sandpaper', strongly eroding everything along the way." Anwar said.
"We are seeing an increasingly obvious impact of global warming on glaciers." He believes that this ice collapse may be related to the melting of glaciers in the context of climate warming. As the bottom of the glacier continues to melt, the meltwater may form channels or even cavities under the ice body, weakening the supporting conditions of the upper ice body, thereby increasing the risk of large-scale calving. However, he also emphasized that the specific triggering mechanism of this disaster still needs further research and confirmation by scientists.
Anwar said that global glaciers have generally shown a trend of melting and retreating in recent years, and the disasters caused are global challenges. From Switzerland to the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas, known as the "roof of the world," climate change is continuing to alter the stability of glaciers. According to reports, in May 2025, a large glacier in the Swiss Alps collapsed, and a large amount of ice, mud and rocks buried most of the Braaten mountain village in Valais state; in 2021, a large-scale ice collapse occurred near the Nanda Devi peak in Uttarakhand, northern India. A large amount of rock, dust and ice rushed down the valley for about 1500 meters. The disaster left more than 200 people dead or missing, and destroyed many villages and two hydroelectric power facilities in northern India.
Regarding how to further strengthen glacier monitoring, early warning and risk assessment, Anwar believes that we must first strengthen the observation of changes in the glacier itself. The gravel and other debris on the surface of the glacier, the state of the surrounding frozen soil, and changes in the lakes surrounding the glacier should also be included in the comprehensive risk assessment. "The increase in meltwater volume, the increase in fissures, and the decrease in glacier elevation may all become risk warning signals." He said that countries can use satellite remote sensing and ground measurement equipment to establish a long-term monitoring system, incorporate different risk indicators into the model, and assess the risk of glacier collapse. For identified high-risk areas, emergency plans should be further improved. Once the risk reaches a certain level, early warning measures should be taken promptly and people downstream should be prepared to move to avoid risks.
"Natural disasters have no national borders. This disaster occurred in Nepal, but it had a serious impact on the Jilong Port in China. This also highlights the cross-border characteristics of high mountain glacier disaster risks. Glacier disasters are not a problem faced by one country alone, but a problem faced by the entire region and even the international community." Anwar said that the international community should strengthen transnational monitoring and collaboration, and establish long-term and continuous monitoring mechanisms for all large glaciers. Relevant countries should strengthen data sharing, scientific research cooperation and risk assessment, and explore the establishment of relatively unified monitoring and evaluation standards. "In this regard, I call for the establishment of a cooperation mechanism covering the entire relevant region, allowing all parties to jointly monitor, jointly study, and jointly respond." Anwar said.
"This huge disaster once again reminds us that in the context of global climate change, the secondary disaster risks caused by the melting and instability of alpine glaciers require more attention. From strengthening long-term glacier monitoring and risk identification, to improving downstream emergency response mechanisms, to promoting transnational data sharing and scientific research collaboration, how to detect risks earlier, issue early warnings faster, and carry out more effective cross-regional responses is becoming an important issue in disaster prevention and reduction in high mountain areas." Anwar said.
Global Times reporters Zhang Wanshi Zhao Yusha Zhang Han
Source: People's Daily
