Iran Press/ Asia: The death toll has risen to at least 14 people after flooding in India’s northeastern state of Sikkim that came after heavy rainfall caused the glacial Lhonak lake to overflow.
At least 26 people were also injured and 102 others, including 23 army personnel, were reported missing, officials said on Thursday.
The disaster, which took place on Wednesday, has affected more than 22,000 people, according to the authorities, and 22 army personnel are among the missing. It has also left over 3,000 tourists stranded after the floods washed away the main highways and bridges.
The catastrophic flooding of Lhonak Lake took place after five times the usual amount of rain fell on the state during a cloudburst, causing a dam to partially collapse in the Teesta valley, close to the border with China. Video footage showed the muddy flood waters surging into built-up areas, causing houses to collapse and submerging army bases.
Himalayan glaciers are melting faster than ever due to climate change, exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters, according to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) research group.
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