Flood in Thame due to outburst of two glacial lakes

SOLUKHUMBU, AUGUST 18: The Chief District Officer (CDO) of Solukhumbu, Devi Pandey Khatri, stated that there is still a risk of flooding in the Thame area of the Solukhumbu district. Confirming that the flood in the Thame River at Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5 on Friday was due to the outburst of two glacial lakes, CDO Khatri mentioned that the risk of flooding in the Thame area remains.

According to her, Minister for Defense Manbir Rai and Chief Executive Officer of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA), Anil Pokharel, conducted an aerial inspection of the flood-affected Thame area on Saturday. "Following the inspection, it has been confirmed that the flood occurred due to the outburst of two glacial lakes," CDO Khatri concluded.

The Disaster Management Committee stated that there is little chance of saving glacial lakes that are at risk of outburst. "There are five glacial lakes above the Thame area. It has been confirmed that the flood in the Thame River on Friday was due to the outburst of two of these lakes. Of the remaining three glacial lakes, we have received information that one is safe while the other two are still at risk of outburst," cautioned CDO Khatri.

Those residing in the lower part of the Solu area, as well as in the Khumbu area, are at high risk of flooding. Hence, the residents of those areas have been urged to remain on high alert and take precautions, according to CDO Khatri.

Meanwhile, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has reported that the glacial lake outburst in the Thame area was due to climate change and rising temperatures. The Department stated that the daily average temperature in the Thame area had begun increasing on August 9 this year. The average temperature rose from 9.7 degrees Celsius to 11 degrees Celsius since August 9. On the day of the flood, the temperature soared to 15 degrees Celsius. The Department indicated that the outburst of the glacial lakes was due to this rise in temperature and continuous rain.

Climate expert Rajan Thapa warned that the glacial lakes were at risk of outburst as the temperature in the Himalayan region has been rising abnormally in recent days. "Not only in the Thame area, but glacial lakes in other parts of the Sagarmatha region are also at high risk of outburst. The melting of glaciers in the mountains has increased alarmingly, threatening human settlements in the mountainous region," he cautioned.

Meanwhile, a team led by Minister Rai carried out a relief distribution operation in the affected area on Saturday. The local government and various social organizations have provided relief materials to the flood-affected residents of Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-3. Utilizing the District Disaster Rescue Fund, a total of 13 households affected by the flood were provided with Rs 15,000 each and three tarpaulin sheets each, while the local government distributed Rs 50,000 to each of the 15 affected households. It was reported that the residents of the 20 houses that were completely damaged by the flood were not at their homes at the time of the disaster.

For additional relief materials such as food items and clothing for the flood survivors, CDO Khatri has written to the provincial government and the Department of Food Management, it was shared.

The only road network connecting Salleri to the Khumbu area has been disrupted after the flood swept away one side of the concrete motorable bridge. The direct road network to the lower Solu area and the Khumbu area has been disrupted due to the flood, it is reported. The flood merged into the Dudhkoshi River after passing through the Bhotekoshi River, causing damage to Miteri Pul (Friendship Bridge) on the border between Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Mapya Dudkhkoshi Rural Municipality.

"Khumbu area is in chaos at present. Communication services have been disrupted due to the lack of electricity in Khumbu, while the risk of the outburst of glacial lakes looms large," worried Lamakaji Sherpa, Chairperson of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee at Namche.

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