2023 Sikkim Flood Tied to Climate Change and Permafrost Thaw
A catastrophic glacial lake outburst in the Himalayas caused widespread destruction, highlighting the urgent need for climate resilience and early warning systems.
- The October 2023 flood in Sikkim, India, resulted from a glacial lake outburst triggered by permafrost thaw and a moraine collapse into South Lhonak Lake.
- The event killed at least 55 people, left 70 missing, destroyed a major hydropower dam, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and agricultural land across 385 kilometers.
- Researchers identified long-term climate-driven factors, including rising temperatures, permafrost thaw, and glacial melt, as key contributors to the disaster.
- The flood cascade also triggered 45 secondary landslides and impacted regions as far as Bangladesh, where cyclonic rainfall exacerbated flooding.
- Scientists emphasize the need for robust early warning systems, stricter hydropower project regulations, and international cooperation to mitigate future risks in high-mountain regions.
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