Experts: Glacial Lakes in Andes Create Sudden Flood Risk Like Nepal Disaster

Following the major flood disaster that hit Nepal in the Himalayas, scientists are warning that a similar danger is looming in the Andes Mountains of South America. The rapid melting of glaciers in Chile, Argentina, and Peru is triggering the formation of unstable glacial lakes and slope failures.

Experts state that global warming is accelerating this process and that sudden floods and landslides covering mountain valleys could threaten thousands of residents as well as water and energy infrastructure. Argentina's Patagonia region has been identified as the area at highest risk.

Scientists emphasize that in the event of a glacial lake outburst, some settlements could be submerged in under an hour. They note that the Nepal example serves as a warning sign for the Andes and that urgent precautionary measures are needed.