At least 14 dead and 102 missing after glacial lake overflows in India

At least 14 people have died and 102 are still missing due to the devastating explosion of a glacial lake that caused flooding in the Northeast Indiawhere search efforts for rescuers continue, authorities reported this Thursday.

“The number of human lives lost is, so far, 14 and the number of people missing is 102.”said Prabhakar Rai, director of the state disaster management authority. Sikkim.

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A previous report reported ten deaths.

Among those missing are 22 soldiers, according to the Army.

The armed forces are trying to reestablish telephone connections and provide “medical aid to stranded tourists and residents”they explained in a statement.

The affected area, a remote and mountainous region of Himalayasis located near the border with Nepal It is China.

The flood was caused by the overflow of the Lhonak Lakelocated at the base of a glacier in the snow-capped peaks surrounding Kangchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.

“Severe destruction”

A torrent of water rushed downstream, adding to the waters of a river already flooded by the monsoons, damaging a dam and destroying houses and bridges and causing “serious destruction”indicated the government.

In the affected area, several areas were isolated. Rescue teams have set up 25 camps for displaced people.

Flooding caused damage to roads and destroyed 14 bridges, authorities said. According to the Army, four neighborhoods in the state were affected.

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modistated that those affected will have “all possible support”.

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The lake lost almost two-thirds of its size due to the overflow, an area equivalent to 150 football fields, according to satellite images released by Indian Space Research Organization.

Floods and landslides are common and devastating in India, especially during the monsoon season. But by October these rains have generally ended.

Most frequent disasters

Floods caused by glacial lake outbursts, often accompanied by rockfalls, have become more frequent as global temperatures rise.

“We see the frequency of these extreme events increasing as the climate continues to warm and drag us into uncharted territory.”he pointed Miriam Jacksonscientist specialized in monitoring the frozen surfaces of the Himalayas, in a statement from International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

The average temperature on Earth’s surface has increased by almost 1.2°C compared to pre-industrial times, but mountainous regions are warming at ten times the rate, according to climatologists.

According to experts, climate change has increased the intensity of tropical storms, with more abundant rainfall, responsible for flash floods.

The melting of glaciers Himalayas It also increases the flow of watercourses, while construction that fails to comply with regulations in areas vulnerable to flooding puts local people at risk.

Between 2011 and 2020, glaciers in the Himalayas melted 65% faster than in the previous decade, according to a report published in June by ICIMOD.

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Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.