At least 14 people have lost their lives and 102 others are still missing in Sikkim, a north-eastern Indian state, due to a catastrophic overflow of the Lhonak Lake. The disaster was triggered by heavy rain that caused the lake’s dam to partially collapse, leading to flash floods down a mountain valley. The incident has left over 22,000 people affected, with 22 army personnel among the missing.
The overflow of the lake, which is situated near the border with China, occurred after five times the usual amount of rain fell on the state during a cloudburst. The pent-up water burst through the dam, causing a surge of muddy floodwaters to sweep through built-up areas, collapsing houses and submerging army bases. Video footage shows the devastating aftermath of the disaster, with water pouring into streets and valleys, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
The search operations to find the missing are being undertaken under challenging conditions, with incessant rain, fast-flowing water in the Teesta River, and washed-out roads and bridges hindering efforts. Authorities have warned that the rescue operation will be further complicated by forecasts of more rain in the coming days, and the fact that mobile and phone lines remain down.
14 Dead, Over 100 Missing as Lhonak Lake OverflowsThe incident is the latest in a series of extreme weather events to hit the fragile Himalayan mountain region in south Asia, which is heavily impacted by climate change. The region has seen a spate of landslides, flooding, and heavy rainfall in recent weeks, with over 250 people losing their lives in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh.
Pema Gyamtsho, director general of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, highlighted the region’s extreme vulnerability to climate change. “Sadly, this is the latest in a series of deadly flash floods that ricocheted across the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region this monsoon, bringing the reality of this region’s extreme vulnerability to climate change all too vividly alive,” he said.
The floodwaters have also left over 3,000 tourists stranded, with the main highways and bridges washed away. The Indian army has been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts, but the situation remains precarious. As the region braces for more heavy rain in the coming days, the scale of the disaster is only beginning to become clear.