He overflow of one of the glaciers which is located in the Himalayan mountain range provoked floods in the northeast of Indiawhere at least 14 deaths and more of 100 people missing. Rescuers continue the search, while the constant temperature increase increases the volume of thaw.
The flood was caused by the Lhonak lake overflowlocated at the base of the glacier in the snowy peaks that surround the Kangchenjungathe third highest mountain in the world.
In the affected area – a remote, mountainous region located near the borders with Nepal and China– the armed forces work, trying to restore telephone connections and to provide “medical aid to tourists and trapped residents.”
The floods caused great damage in places of vehicular circulation, and carried away more than 10 bridges, affecting four districts of the State. He Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modistated that the affected people will have “all the support possible.”
The retreat of the Himalayan glacier
The lake lost almost two thirds of its size due to the overflow, an area equivalent to 150 football fieldsaccording to satellite images released by the Indian Space Research Organization. Although floods and landslides are common in the region, they are not common this month.
In addition, floods caused by the overflow of glacial lakes are became more frequent as a result of global temperature increase. “We are seeing the frequency of these extreme events increasing as the climate continues to warm and drags us into uncharted territory,” he said. Miriam Jacksona scientist specialized in monitoring the frozen surfaces of the Himalayas, in a statement from the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
The medium temperature on the earth’s surface increased almost 1.2ºC compared to pre-industrial times, but high mountain regions are warming at a ten times faster pace.
He melting of glaciers of the Himalayas also does increase the flow of water coursesadded to that, between 2011 and 2020the Himalayan glaciers melted a 65% faster than in the previous decade.
Source: Ambito
