Risky glacial lake drained near Everest

Nepal has successfully drained part of a giant glacial lake near Qomolangma, also known as Mount Everest in the West, averting risk of a disastrous flood that could have threatened thousands of lives, officials said on Monday.

Scientists said climate change is causing Himalayan glaciers to melt at an alarming rate, creating huge glacial lakes which could burst their banks and devastate mountain communities.

Imja Tsho, located at an altitude of 5,000 meters, just 10 kilometers south of the world's highest peak, is the fastest-growing glacial lake in Nepal.