The Indian government has initiated the process of declaring at least 79 individuals missing in the catastrophic floods caused by a Himalayan glacial lake outburst as deceased. According to a senior official’s statement on Friday, this declaration would elevate the death toll from the disaster to 179.
Triggered by heavy rainfall and overflow from the Lhonak Lake, the floods rank among the most severe in the region in over half a century. They resulted in the destruction of homes and bridges in the northeastern state of Sikkim, nestled between Bhutan, China, and Nepal.
Anil Rai, a state official, noted that while rescue efforts have not been called off, the chances of finding the missing individuals after two weeks seem minimal. Sikkim has recovered 40 bodies in the aftermath of the floods, with the neighboring state of West Bengal accounting for 60, as authorities work to confirm the official toll and prevent duplicate counts.
The implications of climate change have heightened the risks for communities residing in high mountain regions, with the threat of dangerous glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) looming large. The potential brimming over and bursting of lakes holding water from melting glaciers can unleash torrents, cascading down mountain valleys.
Recent research from 2022 indicated that over 200 such lakes pose a significant hazard to communities in the Himalayan region, spanning Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
