India has begun the process of designating at least 79 people who went missing in floods caused by a Himalayan glacial lake outburst as dead, taking the death toll in the disaster to 179. The floods, triggered by torrential rain and overflow from Lhonak Lake, were some of the worst in the region in more than 50 years. Homes and bridges were washed away in the northeastern state of Sikkim, which is bordered by Bhutan, China, and Nepal.
The state government has initiated the process of designating the missing persons as dead by seeking permission from the federal government. According to the law, a missing person can only be declared dead after a period of seven years. State official Anil Rai stated that although the rescue efforts have not been called off, it would be a miracle to find the missing individuals after two weeks.
At least 40 bodies have been recovered in the aftermath of the floods in Sikkim, with another 60 bodies found in the neighboring state of West Bengal. Officials from both states are working to reconcile the official toll and eliminate any double counting.
The risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) has increased in high mountain regions due to climate change. As global warming affects these areas, melted glaciers can cause lakes to overflow and burst, leading to the sudden rushing down of torrents in mountain valleys. Research conducted in 2022 revealed that over 200 such lakes pose a high hazard to communities in the Himalayan region, including Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan.
In conclusion, India has taken steps to declare the missing individuals from the Himalayan floods in Sikkim as dead, bringing the death toll to 179. The floods, caused by heavy rain and overflow from Lhonak Lake, have devastated the region, washing away homes and bridges. The state government is seeking permission from the federal government to designate the missing persons as dead, in accordance with the seven-year time frame specified by the law. Climate change and the threat of glacial lake outburst floods have heightened the risk to communities in high mountain regions such as the Himalayas.
