A recent study published in Nature's Natural Hazards journal highlights the dangers posed by hanging glaciers in Uttarakhand's Alaknanda basin, which are becoming increasingly unstable due to climate change. The research, conducted by institutions including the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, mapped 219 hanging glaciers in the region. Over the past 50 years, human settlements in the basin have surged by 616%, significantly increasing the risk of glacier-related disasters. As a result, the number of people exposed to these risks is projected to rise from 380 in 2000 to 8,500 by 2030. The study emphasizes the need for systematic development planning to protect mountain communities, as the warming Himalayas have accelerated glacier melts and created conditions for potential disasters, such as the Dharali floods last year. Anil V Kulkarni, a distinguished visiting scientist, noted the importance of this data for improving safety in the region, which is home to several pilgrimage sites and hydropower projects.