'Nepal-China Disasters A Wake-Up Call For Sikkim': SDMA Vice Chairman Warns Of Glacier Lake Outburst

The recent disasters in Nepal and China are a wake-up call for Sikkim and the wider Himalayan region, according to Dr. Vinod Sharma, Vice Chairman of the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). Speaking exclusively to NDTV, Sharma warned of the growing threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) as glaciers rapidly retreat due to climate change and global warming. Sikkim has mapped 85 glacial lakes, of which 17 have been identified as highly vulnerable. Seven of these could potentially breach following triggers such as a major earthquake or cloudburst. Sharma also highlighted the wider Himalayan risk, citing 407 glacial lakes in the Hindu Kush region that have been identified as being at risk of breaching.