Multiple changes can overlap in both time and space, with glacier melt, permafrost degradation and heavy runoff interacting across different elevations. "The result is a shift in highland disasters from isolated events toward more frequent, cascading and interconnected disasters," Du said.

　　The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau has already experienced rapid warming and wetting. From 1961 to 2022, average temperatures across the plateau rose by about 0.37 C per decade, faster than the global and national averages, while average precipitation increased by 9.4 millimeters per decade. Satellite observations show that the plateau's glacier area shrank by about 18 percent from 1985 to 2020, from roughly 83,000 to 68,000 square kilometers, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

　　Zhang Xingying, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and an official with the China Meteorological Administration, warned during China's annual two sessions in 2025 that glacier surges, ice avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods could become more frequent as glaciers melt.

　　"The risks of glacier-related mudslides, major disasters and catastrophes could also increase," he said.

　　Zhang has called for a monitoring system integrating ground, air and satellite observations across the plateau and surrounding areas, as well as stronger research into glacier-related disaster mechanisms and improved forecasting and risk assessment.

　　Li Menghancontributed to this story.

　　zhaoyimeng@chinadaily.com.cn