Glaciologists and local communities mourned the loss of Nepal’s Yala glacier after it has shrunk by 66% since the 1970s, making it among Nepal’s first likely to be declared dead. 

Glacier Funeral

• It is a symbolic ceremony held to mark rapid disappearance of glaciers due to climate change. 
• Other major glaciers declared dead: Pizol Glacier, Switzerland (2019); Clark Glacier, US (2020); Ayoloco glacier, Mexico (2021); etc. 
  • The world's first funeral was held for Okjokull glacier in Iceland in 2019.

Consequences of Glacial Loss

• Accelerates global warming: Reduced Glaciers will have less albedo effect and therefore will increase heat absorption. 
• Accelerates sea level rise: According to a Nature study, melting glaciers have caused nearly 2 cm to global sea level rise since 2001. 
• Disrupted water cycles: Nearly three-quarters of Earth's freshwater is stored in glaciers. Their rapid melting threatens water security and endangers biodiversity. 
• Natural disasters: It increases risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and avalanches.