Title: Deadly Flooding in Northeast India Claims 14 Lives and Leaves 102 Missing
Date: October 5, 2023
NEW DELHI/KOLKATA – Northeast India faced a devastating disaster on Wednesday as heavy rains caused a Himalayan glacial lake in Sikkim state to burst its banks. At least 14 people have been killed, and 102 are reported missing, making it the worst flooding incident in the region in over five decades.
The Lhonak Lake, located in Sikkim, experienced a breach, leading to significant flooding that affected the lives of approximately 22,000 people. This event highlights the increasing impact of climate change on South Asia’s mountains.
According to the weather department, Sikkim received 101 mm (4 inches) of rain in the first five days of October, more than double the normal levels. Consequently, the floods have surpassed the severity of the 1968 floods, which claimed around 1,000 lives.
The weather department has issued a warning that heavy rainfall is expected to continue over the next three days in Sikkim and neighboring states, exacerbating the situation further.
Local officials have attributed the severity of the flooding to the release of water from the state-run NHPC’s Teesta V dam. Four of the dam’s gates were washed away, raising questions about why they weren’t opened on time.
As rescue operations continue amidst the heavy rainfall, the state disaster management agency has reported that 26 people have been injured, including 22 army personnel. Additionally, eleven bridges have been washed away, further complicating the rescue efforts.
The neighboring country of Bangladesh is also on alert as a rise in the level of the Teesta river, which enters Bangladesh downstream of Sikkim, could lead to flooding in five districts in its northern part.
Efforts to locate missing individuals and recover vehicles buried under slush are underway. An Indian defense spokesperson stated that the search is now focused on downstream areas of the Teesta river.
A satellite imagery review indicates that nearly two-thirds of the Lhonak Lake seems to have been drained as a result of the cloudburst and subsequent flooding.
The state capital Gangtok is facing a shortage of petrol and diesel, although food supplies remain accessible. Sikkim, a small state of about 650,000 people, is geographically isolated due to the collapse of the main highway connecting it with the neighboring state of West Bengal.
This disaster serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerability of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region to climate change. Glacial lakes are expanding, posing a significant risk to downstream infrastructure and lives, as glaciers in the Himalayas continue to melt.
Recent months have witnessed torrential rains, flooding, and landslides in mountainous areas of India, Pakistan, and Nepal, resulting in numerous casualties.
A decade-old report by India’s National Remote Sensing Centre scientists had warned of a 42% chance of the Lhonak Lake bursting its banks, underscoring the need for increased preparedness and mitigation measures.
Authorities in the affected region are urging residents to remain vigilant as the flood situation persists.