Flood in Thame due to outburst of two glacial lakes

By Subash Darnal, Solukhumbu, Aug 17: Chief District Officer (CDO) of Solukhumbu Devi Pandey Khatri said that there was still a risk of flood at Thame area in Solukhumbu district.     

Confirming that the flood in the Thame River at Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5 in the district on Friday was due to the outburst of two glacial lakes, CDO Khattri mentioned that there was still the risk of flood in the Thame area.     

According to her, Minister for Defense Manbir Rai and Chief Executive Officer at 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 an outburst of two glacial lakes," CDO Khattri concluded.     

The Disaster Management Committee said there was little chance of saving glacial lakes that are at risk of outburst.     

"There are five glacial lakes above Thame area. It has been confirmed that the flood in Thame River on Friday was due to an outburst of two lakes among those five. Remaining three glacial lakes, we have received the information that one is safe while two others are still at risk of outburst," cautioned CDO Khatri.     

Those residing in lower part of Solu area along with Khumbu area are at high risk of flood. Hence, the residents of those areas have been urged to remain in high alert and observe precautions, according to CDO Khatri.     

Meanwhile, the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has said that the glacial lake outburst in Thame area was due to climate change and rising temperatures.     

The Department said that the daily average temperature in Thame area had begun increasing since August 9 this year. The average temperature of the place had risen from 9.7 degree Celsius to 11 degree Celsius since August 9.     

On the day of the flood, the temperature soared to 15 degree Celsius, the Department said, describing that the outburst of glacial lakes was due to a rise in temperature and continuous rain.     

Climate expert Rajan Thapa warned that the glacial lakes were at risk of outbursts since the temperature in the Himalayan area has been rising abnormally in the recent days.     

"Not only in Thame area, glacial lakes in other areas in Sagarmatha area are at high risk of outburst. The melting of glaciers in mountains has increased alarmingly risking the 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 the Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-3.     

Mobilizing 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 15 affected households Rs 50,000 each, it was shared.     

The residents of those 20 houses that were completely damaged by the flood were not at their houses in the time of the disaster.     

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

The only road network connecting Salleri to 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 Khumbu area has been disrupted due to flood, it is reported.     

The flood merged into Dudhkoshi River after passing through Bhotekoshi River which caused damage to Miteri Pul (Friendship Bridge) bordering Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality and Mapya Dudkhkoshi Rural Municipality.     

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