August 16, 2024: Severe flooding has devastated the Thame area in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5, Solukhumbu, located in the Everest region of Nepal. The flood, suspected to have been triggered by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF), has caused significant destruction, washing away several houses in the remote village of Thame.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has issued a high alert for residents along the Dudhkoshi riverbanks, particularly from Jorasalle to Dudhkoshi, urging them to relocate to safer areas. The Thulung Dudhkoshi Rural Municipality has echoed this warning, advising those near the river to remain vigilant.
Experts suggest that the flood may have been caused by a glacier break, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed. Hydrologist Dharmaraj Upreti noted on social media that the flood could result from an ice dam breaking or a landslide, as no significant rainfall has been recorded in the area over the past 12 hours. The suspicion of a GLOF has been bolstered by local reports, who have described the flood as being linked to a glacial outburst.
Thame lies west of Namche Bazaar, the primary gateway to the Everest region. The rough terrain of the mountains has made it difficult for authorities to assess the full extent of the destruction quickly. Security agencies have been deployed to the area, but given the challenging conditions, it is expected to take them about three days to reach the affected village from the district headquarters of Solukhumbu.
Local authorities and residents in the Thame area remain on high alert, demonstrating their proactive stance in the face of potential further flooding and landslides in this vulnerable high-altitude region.