Climate-driven hydrogeological hazards: A growing threat to Asia’s Water Tower [version 1]
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: REW1ARREW1ARREW2ARHigh Mountain Asia (HMA), known as Asia’s Water Tower, faces unprecedented climate warming, resulting in accelerated glacier retreat, increased meltwater discharge, altered precipitation patterns, and permafrost degradation. These changes have intensified hydrogeological hazards such as ice–rock collapses, glacial lake outburst floods, landslides, and debris flows, which pose severe risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and downstream communities. This review systematically summarizes the evolving hazard landscape in HMA, emphasizing the critical role of climate-driven factors in causing slope instability and flood risks. By integrating a multi-source hydrogeological hazard database, field observations, and literature reviews, we discuss the spatial variations, triggering mechanisms, and potential future trends of these hazards. Our findings highlight the need for enhanced early-warning systems, climate adaptation strategies, and transboundary cooperation to mitigate the increasing risks of hydrogeological disasters in HMA. Strengthening scientific research and policy frameworks is essential for boosting resilience and achieving sustainable water resource management in this vulnerable region.
Source: Hydrosphere
Authors: Yao Li, Yifei Cui, Jian Guo, Shuofan Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415405667