The Karakoram Anomaly: Validation through Remote Sensing Data, Prospects and Implications

Millions of people rely on river water originating from snow- and ice-melt basins in the Hindukush-Karakoram-Himalayas (HKH). One such basin is Upper Indus Basin (UIB), where contribution can be more than 80%. Being origin some world’s largest alpine glaciers, this could highly susceptible to global warming climate change. Field observations geodetic measurements suggest that Karakoram Mountains, glaciers are either stable or have expanded since 1990, sharp contrast glacier retreats prevalently observed Himalayas adjoining high-altitude terrains Central Asia. Decreased summer temperature discharge rivers region cited as supporting evidence for somewhat anomalous phenomenon. This study used remote sensing data during months (July–September) period 2000 2017. Equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs) July, August September been estimated. ELA trends July were found statistically insignificant. The declined by 128 m 2000–2017 at a rate 7.1 m/year, testifying Anomaly concomitant with mass gaining Hunza (western Karakoram). Stable may store fresh longer provide sustainable flows near far future. However, these also causing low months. Tarbela reservoir reached three times its lowest storage level June 2019, it was argued due melt region. Therefore, using monitor glaciers’ health resources development management HKH urgently needed.