According to the IPCC report, Melting of Himalayan glaciers might continue irrespective of the 1.5 degrees temperature rise cap. This would have serious impacts on the 2 billion population who depend on the THIRD POLE for water and other resources.
Impact on water resources of India:
A). Short term impacts:
1. Flooding in Himalayan rivers due to excess volume of melting ice.2. Glacial lakes outburst flooding (GLOF).3. Perennial storage of groundwater resources4. Excess flow burden on lower riparian states.
B). Long Term impacts:
1. Decrease in river flow and change in river course in the long run due to low volumes of ice.2. Lowering of groundwater table and reduced availability for irrigation and consumption3. Transboundary conflict over water sharing as a scarce resource4. Melting of glaciers has a positive feedback mechanism which further increases the melting of glaciers(Albedo effect).5.. Religious places like Gangotri, Yamunotri, Haridwar will lose significance.
Melting of Himalayan glaciers is a reality that we all are staring at. International cooperation coupled with national policies and local implementation are key to reversing the trend.