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A recent environmental report has revealed a deeply concerning situation in the Himalayas, suggesting that these iconic mountains are nearing a critical threshold due to rapid glacial melting. The data indicates that glaciers in the region are currently losing mass sixty-five percent faster than they were a decade ago. This acceleration poses a severe threat to the regional economy and the safety of its inhabitants. Despite the gravity of the situation, a significant knowledge gap remains. Scientists have noted that out of approximately forty thousand glaciers in the Himalayan range, only twenty-one are subject to regular, detailed monitoring. This lack of comprehensive data hinders the ability of researchers to provide accurate predictions regarding future environmental disasters. As global temperatures continue to rise, the physical landscape is undergoing transformations that are increasingly difficult to manage. One of the primary concerns is glacial retreat. As glaciers melt and recede, they often create vast lakes contained only by fragile dams of ice and rock. If these natural barriers fail, they trigger glacial lake outbursts—violent floods that can devastate everything in their path. Such events occurred in Sikkim in 2023 and Uttarakhand in 2021, resulting in numerous fatalities and the destruction of essential infrastructure, including roads and hydroelectric power plants. Furthermore, the thawing of permafrost—ground that traditionally remains frozen year-round—is making mountain slopes increasingly unstable, thereby raising the risk of catastrophic landslides. The geographical impact on India is particularly striking; while the Himalayas cover only eighteen percent of the nation’s land, the region is responsible for thirty-five percent of its natural disasters. The crisis extends beyond local borders. The Himalayas serve as a vital ‘water tower’ for South Asia, feeding major rivers that provide water for drinking and agriculture to hundreds of millions of people. The government has already identified fifty-six glacial lakes as being at extreme risk. Without improved monitoring and more robust climate strategies, the environmental and economic damage may become permanent, threatening the long-term survival of communities that depend on these mountain resources.

1. What is the primary message regarding the Himalayan glaciers in the article?

• A.They are melting at a stable rate compared to the previous decade.
• B.The speed of their melting is increasing and poses a serious regional danger.
• C.Scientists have successfully mapped all forty thousand glaciers in the region.
• D.New infrastructure projects are helping to prevent glacial melting.

2. Why is it currently difficult for scientists to predict future disasters in the Himalayas?

• A.The mountain slopes are too steep for scientists to climb safely.
• B.The government has refused to identify high-risk glacial lakes.
• C.There is a lack of regular data for the vast majority of glaciers.
• D.Hydroelectric plants are interfering with scientific monitoring equipment.

3. What does the author imply about the impact of the Himalayan crisis on South Asia?

• A.It is a minor issue that only affects people living high in the mountains.
• B.The destruction of roads is the only major economic concern for the region.
• C.The effects will be widespread because the mountains supply water to millions.
• D.South Asian countries have already implemented enough climate strategies.

4. What is the author’s attitude towards the current state of disaster distribution in India?

• A.Surprised that so few disasters happen in the Himalayan region.
• B.Concerned that the region suffers from a disproportionately high number of disasters.
• C.Relieved that only eighteen percent of the country is affected by melting glaciers.
• D.Indifferent to the loss of infrastructure like hydroelectric plants.

5. What does the word ‘retreat’ mean as used in the third paragraph?

• A.To move forward into new territory.
• B.To recede or move back from a previous position.
• C.To find a quiet place to rest.
• D.To repair a damaged structure.