A Sherpa village in the Everest region of Nepal has faced devastating impacts from icy floodwaters, according to local officials. The village of Thame, located at an altitude of approximately 3,800 meters, is believed to have been flooded following a glacial lake failure. Climate experts have issued warnings about the accelerating melt of Himalayan glaciers due to climate change.
Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as a result of the flooding; however, over a dozen structures, including homes, a school, and a health clinic, have been fully destroyed in the deluge that occurred on Friday.
Thame is notable for its association with prominent Sherpa mountaineers, including Tenzing Norgay, who was the first climber to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest alongside explorer Edmund Hillary.
Footage captured at the scene depicts muddy, frothy waters inundating the village. A representative from the Nepalese army indicated that around 15 homes were washed away, while rescue teams are actively assisting affected residents.
Local authorities have noted that unfavorable weather conditions hindered helicopter operations during their assessment, but plans are in place for aerial examination of the area on Saturday morning.
While the precise cause of the flooding remains uncertain, Arun Bhakta Shrestha, a climate change specialist, mentioned that preliminary observations suggest a glacial lake outburst might be responsible, and efforts are underway to validate these claims.
Scientific research highlights that the rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, fueled by climate change, has led to the formation of unstable glacial lakes, often layered with debris that can burst under pressure. In recent decades, numerous glacial lakes, including 2,070 documented in Nepal alone, have emerged; 21 of these have been classified as “potentially dangerous” according to a 2020 report.
