Glacial hazard assessment at Tsho Rolpa, Rohwaling, Central Nepal

The recession of glaciers throughout the Tsho Rolpa area in the Himalayas have failed catastrophically and the consequential glacier lake outburst floods (GLOF) have resulted in substantial damage and loss of life downstream. In response to the hazard assessment in 1994, Wavin Overseas b.V., Holland, funded and installed a trial siphon over part of the north-western terminal moraine in May 1995. In May 1998, a series of remote sensors was installed along the Rolwaling Khola as part of an early warning system. An additional phase of remediation will be needed to lower the lake by 15-20 m below its present level before the potential hazard can be considered to have been successfully remediated.