Glaciers are like Earth’s natural water banks. They store ice for thousands of years and slowly release it to rivers that millions of people depend on. However, one glacier in Asia has now disappeared completely. The Yala Glacier in Nepal has been declared dead, becoming a powerful and emotional symbol of how fast climate change is reshaping our planet.
What happened to Yala Glacier?
The Yala Glacier, located in Nepal, has melted so much that scientists and local communities have officially declared it no longer a glacier. It has lost almost all of its ice. Yala is now the first glacier in Nepal and all of Asia to receive a memorial plaque, much like a gravestone, to mark its loss.
To honour Yala, people from Nepal, India, China, and Bhutan, including scientists and local villagers, hiked to the spot where the glacier once existed. They held a ceremony with prayers and speeches to say goodbye. It was not just a scientific moment, but an emotional one too.
How much has Yala changed?
Since the 1970s, Yala Glacier has:
- Shrunk by 66%
- Retreated nearly 800 metres
This dramatic loss has happened because the planet is warming, causing glaciers worldwide to melt far faster than before.
Glaciers are vital because they:
- Store freshwater as ice
- Slowly release water into rivers
- Support drinking water, farming, and electricity for millions
Scientists warn that if glaciers continue to disappear, future water shortages could affect huge populations, especially in mountain and river-dependent regions.
Did you know? Funerals have also been held for Switzerland’s Pizol Glacier (2019), Oregon’s Clark Glacier (2020), and Switzerland’s Basodino Glacier (2021).
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