Himalayan glaciers melting 65 percent faster than previous decade: study

Nearly two billion people rely on water from Himalayan glaciers that scientists say are melting at a worrying speed. (Photo: AFP)

KATHMANDU - Himalayan glaciers providing critical water to nearly two billion people are melting faster than ever before due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters, scientists warned Tuesday.

The glaciers disappeared 65 percent faster from 2011 to 2020 compared with the previous decade, according to a report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).