ICIMOD study confirms Thame Flood as Everest region's cryosphere-linked disaster
Summary
A recent ICIMOD study confirms that the 2024 Thame flood in the Everest region was caused by a cascading rock avalanche and glacial lake outburst, highlighting increasing climate-related disaster risks in the Himalayan region.
Key Points
- The 2024 Thame flood was triggered by a rock avalanche hitting two glacial lakes, releasing over 459,000 cubic meters of water.
- The flood devastated Thame village, displacing 135 people and destroying 25 homes, with debris carried 80 km downstream.
- The Everest region has experienced five significant glacial lake outburst floods in less than 50 years, indicating high vulnerability.
- ICIMOD emphasizes urgent monitoring, risk management, and engineering solutions due to climate-driven hazards worsened by accelerated warming in the Hindu Kush Himalayas.
