Glacial runoff increasing due to climate change, leading to flood disasters.
The study looked at how climate change is affecting the amount of water flowing in the Kuytun River Basin. By analyzing temperature, precipitation, and glacier data, researchers found that while warmer temperatures can lead to less water runoff due to increased evaporation, melting glaciers are actually contributing more water to the river. They estimated that glacier runoff now makes up 5.7% more of the total river flow compared to the 1980s. However, extreme weather events could cause sudden increases in runoff, leading to potential flood risks. The study suggests that predicting future river flow changes due to climate change is important for managing water resources in the area.