Scientists Warn Himalayan Rivers Are Becoming Increasingly Unstable

A new study finds Himalayan rivers are shifting faster and becoming less stable as the climate warms.

Researchers using satellite images and field observations from 1980 to 2020 saw more channel movement, cutoffs, avulsions, and pattern changes across three major basins.

The changes were linked to glacier melt and thawing frozen ground, which are reshaping river behavior.

Greater river instability could raise flood and erosion risks and threaten roads, bridges, farms, and settlements downstream.