GANGTOK, India (AP) — Rescuers made a grisly discovery overnight as they sifted through slushy debris and icy water in search of survivors after a glacial lake breached a dam in India’s northeastern Himalayan region. The catastrophic event resulted in the destruction of houses and bridges, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
According to officials, six more bodies were recovered by the hundreds of rescuers early Saturday, bringing the death toll to 47, with approximately 150 people still missing. The devastating flood occurred shortly after midnight on Wednesday when the waters of a glacial lake overflowed, causing the largest hydroelectric dam in Sikkim state to rupture. The frigid waters then rushed through nearby towns, claiming numerous lives and carrying some bodies several kilometers away to neighboring West Bengal and Bangladesh.
Landslides and floods are unfortunately common during the monsoon season in the Indian Himalayan region from June to September. These incidents are believed to be increasing in frequency due to global warming and the melting of glaciers.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by bad weather conditions, preventing helicopters from reaching vulnerable areas where nearly 4,000 tourists were stranded in Lachung and Lachen. Additionally, roads have been washed away, making access difficult.
As of Saturday, around 3,900 people sought refuge in 26 relief camps established by the state government. One out of the 23 missing Indian army soldiers has been rescued, while eight have tragically lost their lives. Despite ongoing search operations, the cause of the deadly flood in Sikkim state remains unclear.
This recent disaster highlights the ongoing debate surrounding dams in the Himalayas. Local environmental activists argue that the dams pose significant dangers, while authorities continue to pursue a national green energy agenda. The design and location of the Teesta 3 dam, which is six years old and the largest in Sikkim state, were already controversial. A report from the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority in 2019 identified Lhonak Lake, which overflowed, as highly susceptible to flooding that could breach dams and cause severe damage.
Although extreme weather events pose a risk to dams, the Indian government intends to increase the country’s hydroelectric dam output by 50% to 70,000 megawatts by 2030.
Eyewitness Prakash Chetri, who was present at the Teesta 3 dam site, describes the terrifying experience of witnessing water levels rise and barely escaping with his life. Unfortunately, 14 of his colleagues remain missing.
The devastating floodwaters swept away eleven bridges in the Lachen Valley, damaged pipelines, and destroyed over 270 houses in four districts. Schools in four districts have been closed until Sunday, and the floods have also impacted several army camps, burying vehicles in mud.
The alarming rate of global warming could lead to an 80% decline in the volume of Himalayan glaciers. This catastrophe serves as a reminder of the destructive power of nature and the urgency to address climate change.
In February 2021, flash floods claimed nearly 200 lives and destroyed numerous homes in Uttarakhand state in northern India. Similarly, dam breaches caused by Storm Daniel caused extensive damage to the city of Derna in Libya last month.
Hussain contributed to this report from Gauhati, India.
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