Pakistan studies melting glaciers for water

The government of Pakistan has asked scientists to look at the possibility of melting glaciers by spraying them with charcoal to provide water.

Pakistan has suffered from drought for the last three years, and this year rainfall is down by a third.

The Chairman of the Flood Commission said it was one option they were looking at, but there were potential problems.

They would have to be careful not to destabilise the glaciers.

There have also been suggestions that lasers could be used to melt the ice. Experts say that even if the plan was feasible, it would only provide a short term solution.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service