The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) is set to drain the water off the Imja Tsho glacial lake in Solukhumbu district from Saturday.

Situated 5,010 metres above sea level, Imja is one of the fastest growing glacial lake and is at high risk of bursting.

The DHM, in support of the Nepal Army Engineering Department, is planning to lower the lake’s water level by 3.5 metres, a task  expected to take a week. The United Nations Development Programme and the Global Environment Facility are also offering technical and financial supports.

Binod Parajuli, a DHM hydrologist, said the communities living downstream have been notified about the possibility of water level rising in the Imja and Dudhkoshi rivers.

Though there is no reason to be alarmed, people living within 50 km downstream from the lake are advised to remain alert and move towards safer locations should any untoward event transpire.

According to various scientific reports, the glacier feeding the lake is retreating at a rate of 74 metre per year, raising the water level and posing threats of glacial lake outburst.  (PR)