The risks associated with GLOFs are significant, particularly for communities living downstream of glacial lakes. The August 2026 flood in Nepal demonstrated the devastating impact of such events, with entire villages destroyed, infrastructure damaged, and thousands of lives lost or displaced. In India, regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim are also vulnerable, with studies identifying several high-risk glacial lakes. The potential for damage includes loss of life, destruction of hydropower projects, and damage to critical infrastructure such as roads and bridges.