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Reuters
Reuters
Environment
By Gloria Dickie

Glacial lake floods threaten communities in Asia, South America

The Chiatibo glacier in the Hindu Kush mountain range is seen in Pakistan, October 16, 2019. Neil Hall/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Melting mountain glaciers pose a growing flood risk to some 15 million people around the world, researchers said in a report published on Tuesday, with communities in Asia facing the biggest danger.

Runoff from melting glaciers often pools in shallow lakes, held back by rocks and debris. The risk comes when a lake overfills, bursting through its natural barrier and sending a torrent of water rushing down mountain valleys.

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