25 October 2005
Experts warn of Himalayan floods
(Xinhua) The threat of floods from global warming-related glacial melting in the Himalayas was the subject of a conference held in Lhasa, Chinese state-run media reported. More than 60 experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, the World Meteorological Organisation, China's National Meteorological Bureau and eight countries discussed ways to improve flood forecasting, risk management and assessment and disaster control, as well as regional flood management. Gabriel Campbell, director of the ICIMD, said that flooding may cause serious losses in Tibet and the lower reaches of the rivers originating from the Himalayas if measures aren't taken. Rivers at risk include the Yangtze and the Yellow River, as well as the Indus, Salween, Mekong and Brahmaputra. The sensitive ecosystem of the Tibetan plateau is threatened by a variety of problems, including overgrazing and road building, which have accelerated glacial retreat and increased runoff. The vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Dorje Tsering (Chin: Dorji Cering) said mountain flooding is one of the major natural disasters plaguing the region. He said the Chinese government is aware of the problem and is drafting a plan on flood prevention and control.