New Delhi: The devastating floods that ravaged Sikkim in 2023 were a consequence of a complex interplay of climate change, glacier loss, and human infrastructure in the region, according to a new study published in the journal Science.
An international team of researchers, including those from the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, meticulously analyzed the sequence of events, identifying heavy rainfall and the collapse of a glacier-fed lake as key triggers.
The study revealed that in October 2023, a cascade of events unfolded. A landslide, exacerbated by glacier erosion and accumulated debris, plunged into the South Lhonak Lake, located in the Upper Teesta basin. This triggered a massive release of water from the lake, leading to a devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).
Coinciding with this event, heavy rainfall, intensified by climate change, saturated the soil and destabilized slopes. This resulted in numerous landslides, further amplifying the floodwaters and causing widespread destruction.
The researchers emphasized that climate change is accelerating the melting of glaciers, leading to the formation and expansion of glacial lakes. These lakes pose a significant threat, and their potential for causing downstream damage requires urgent and critical evaluation.
The findings underscore the urgent need for a paradigm shift in how we model and monitor GLOFs in high mountain regions. This includes improving risk management strategies and ensuring that infrastructure development in these areas is resilient to the increasing risks posed by climate change and glacial melt.
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