1 in 1 Floods caused damage and caused deaths in northeast India Photo: ANI via Portal Floods caused damage and caused deaths in northeast India Photo: ANI via Portal
The bursting of a glacial lake after heavy rains in India resulted in the deaths of 14 people, the country’s authorities reported this Thursday (5). At the time of last update, 102 people were missing.
A storm brought large amounts of rain to the Lhonak Glacier Lake region in northeast India on Wednesday (4). The storm caused the lake to overflow and flash flooding in a mountainous region.
The water entered urban areas and caused the destruction of dozens of homes. Vehicles were also under water. Around 22,000 people were affected.
According to Indian authorities, 22 soldiers are missing. In total, at least 26 people were injured in the floods. First responders help the victims.
“The search operations are being carried out amid conditions of incessant rain, gushing water in the Teesta river and destroyed roads and bridges at many places,” a government spokesperson said.
According to the country’s weather agency, rain is expected to continue in the region over the next few days, which could lead to landslides.
This is another disaster in a series of climate events ravaging South Asia. Experts say climate change is one of the main reasons for the events.
In recent months, dozens of people have died in floods, landslides and torrential rains in mountainous regions of India, Pakistan and Nepal.
“Unfortunately, this is the latest in a series of deadly flash floods to hit the Hindu KushHimalayan region, highlighting the reality of this region’s extreme vulnerability to climate change,” said Pema Gyamtsho, director general of the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development.