Located about 3,800 meters above sea level it is believed that Thame was inundated due to a nearby bursting of its glacial lake. This climate change effect that has been persistently highlighted by scientists will continue melting these Himalayan glaciers thereby giving room for the occurrence of such disastrous events. Icy Flood Destroys Nepal’s Thame Village.
Rescue and Response Efforts Icy FloodÂ
Footage showed frothy muddy waters surging through this village carrying debris. And mud while Gaurav Kumar KC. Nepalese army spokesman stated that around 15 houses were swept away. Some rescue teams have been working hard to evacuate people from their homes to keep them safe. However, bad weather has prevented helicopters from being used in the rescue missions. They plan to fly there earlier today.
Possible Cause: Glacial Lake Outburst Icy FloodÂ
However, experts are still investigating what exactly led to this flood although they suspect it resulted from a glacial lake burst out. First indications suggest this according to Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an expert in climate change at ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development). These findings are currently under verification by ICIMOD.
The Growing Threat of Melting Glaciers
Moreover, this incident highlights how climate change poses an increasing threat across the Himalayas’. As stated before many glaciers are rapidly disappearing which leads to the creation of numerous glacial lakes formed behind unstable boulders and sediments that can burst suddenly. The Himalayas have had hundreds of these lakes formed in the recent past. According to an ICIMOD report of 2020, Nepal has 2070 glacial lakes including 21 potentially dangerous ones.
The flooding in Thame underscores the urgent need for monitoring. And mitigating the risks associated with glacial melt and climate change in high-altitude regions like the Himalayas.
