Nepal will begin a high-stakes effort this fiscal year to drain four dangerous high-altitude glacial lakes to reduce flood risk.

The lakes are Thulagi, Lower Barun, Lumding Tsho and Hongu II, located between 4,050 and 5,483 metres above sea level. A 2020 report by the UNDP and ICIMOD ranked them among Nepal’s most potentially dangerous lakes.

The move follows a catastrophic glacier collapse on the Nepal-Tibet border in August. The disaster killed more than 1,400 people. Rescue teams are still searching for over 5,000 missing people.

The project will cost about 50 million dollars. Funding will come from the Green Climate Fund, the UNDP and Nepal’s government. Design work and detailed studies will begin before July 2027.

Water will be drained through canals and gated structures into nearby rivers in a regulated way. Sensors and flood forecasting systems will be installed. The full work could take up to six years.

Ten years ago, Nepal lowered the Imja lake near Mount Everest in a similar operation. Officials say workers will face health risks from long periods at extreme altitude.