A Sherpa village in Nepal’s Everest region has been devastated by icy flood waters, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Thame, a village situated at an altitude of about 3,800m, was engulfed after a glacial lake burst its banks, causing widespread damage to homes, a school, and a health clinic.
Despite the ferocity of the flood, no deaths or injuries have been reported so far. However, more than a dozen buildings have been completely destroyed, leaving residents in shock and disbelief. Videos captured the moment frothy, milky waters surged through the village, turning the floods brown with mud and debris.
Thame holds a special place in the hearts of many as it is home to record-holding Sherpa mountaineers and is the birthplace of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first person to climb Mount Everest alongside Edmund Hillary. The village’s rich history and cultural significance make the devastation even more heartbreaking for the community.
Rescue teams are on the ground, assisting residents to safety, as the Nepalese army and local authorities assess the extent of the damage. Bad weather has hindered helicopter operations, but plans are in place to fly to the mountains for further investigation.
Climate change specialists have pointed to the alarming rate at which Himalayan glaciers are melting, leading to the formation of glacial lakes that are increasingly unstable. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has documented over 2,000 glacial lakes in Nepal, with 21 deemed “potentially dangerous.”
As scientists work to confirm the exact cause of the flood in Thame, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address climate change and its devastating impact on vulnerable communities in the Himalayas.
