The waters of the glacial lake, South Lhonak broke a hydroelectric dam on Oct 4, 2023, which caused the Glacier Lake flooding in the Indian Himalayas. The flood in the mountainous Sikkim state of India has badly affected the towns and villages. Ashok Swain, a Swedish academic and writer claimed at least 23 Indian army soldiers are missing as a result of flash floods in his tweet.

Sikkim, India – Heavy rainfall has caused flash floods, a dam is in danger, at least 23 Indian army soldiers are missing. This is why climate change needs to be a matter of national security! pic.twitter.com/LLqWxRT5y6

— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) October 4, 2023

According to recent reports, about 22,000 lives of people have been impacted due to flash floods. About 100 people including soldiers are missing. Reuters claims the death toll has risen to forty, and dozens of people are missing after talking with government officials per recent reports.

Read the full detailed report of Reuters on recent developments of Indian Glacier Flooding here

There are different statistics on the death toll. Officials of Sikkim state put the death rate at eighteen on Oct 5, 2023, while Reuters reported 14 casualties yesterday.

Officials and Indian army soldiers have set up relief camps to facilitate the affected people. Authorities of West Bengal report they have recovered twenty-two dead bodies. Moreover, the Indian army is planning to execute 1,500 tourists trapped in the flood region using helicopters.

The flood is considered the latest deadly episode of climate change in the mountains of South Asia. Glacier lake flooding in the Indian Himalayas caused more than 270 houses and eleven bridges damaged in four districts of India.

Read out why a State of Emergency was declared by the governor in New York.