The death toll in India as a result of a flash flood caused by the breaking of a glacier in the Himalayas has risen to at least 26 months, while rescuers continue to search for about 200 missing people, according to officials.
The broken piece of glacier Nanda Devi sent a wall of water and debris early Sunday, which pierced a valley, shattering two dams and destroying bridges and roads when it hit two hydroelectric plants.
A team of scientists flew to the region on Monday to find out what caused the disaster – some experts are already blaming global warming.
Whatever the cause, “Everything has been swept away – people, cattle and trees,” said Sangram Singh Rawat, a former member of the Raini village council, the site closest to one of the damaged hydroelectric plants.
Workers recovered at least 26 bodies. More than 2,000 members of the army, paramilitary groups and police continued a massive search and rescue for about 200 people still missing.
Most of the missing were workers at the two power plants, 37 of which are known to be stuck in a 1.5-mile tunnel filled with mud and stones.
“The tunnel is filled with debris that came from the river. We are using machinery to pave the way, “said H. Gurung, a senior official of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police paramilitary.
The floodwaters also damaged the houses, but it was not clear how many residents were dead or missing. Government officials dumped food and medicine in at least two villages affected by the floods.
While scientists are examining the cause of the glacier rupture, some have noticed that it snowed heavily last week in the Nanda Devi area, possibly causing an avalanche when it began to melt.
Others blame global warming, observing the general melting and disintegration of the world’s glaciers.
“This is very similar to a climate change event, as glaciers are melting due to global warming,” said Anjal Prakash, research director and assistant professor at the Indian School of Business.
The disaster also raises questions about the strength of the dams.
“Dams should withstand a much greater force. This was not a monsoon flood, it was much smaller, “said Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asian Dam, River and People Network.
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