New satellite imagery reveals the extensive damage caused by fatal flash floods in a village in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim in October. The images illustrate the Teesta river overflowing and submerging a significant portion of the nearby village, leading to the loss of over 30 lives and devastation for thousands.
Triggered by a cloudburst, the floods resulted from the South Lhonak glacial lake bursting its banks, with excess water flowing downstream into the Teesta river. Additional water release from a nearby dam exacerbated the situation, wreaking havoc on the Chungthang village.
Earth observation experts from the University of Leicester released photos depicting the before-and-after scenes, emphasizing the importance of resilient infrastructure in the face of escalating climate challenges. The catastrophe underscores the need for early warning systems in Himalayan lakes due to accelerated glacier melting from global warming, as highlighted by experts. Despite prior warnings of potential flooding in the region, the lack of an early warning system contributed to the tragic collapse of the Teesta III dam. Sikkim, with over 700 glacial lakes, faces the pressing challenge of identifying and addressing those at risk of bursting.
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