KATHMANDU, Aug 18: Members of House of Representatives (HoR) have demanded an investigation into Friday’s flash flood in Thame of Solukhumbu, caused by a glacier outburst. The lawmakers made this demand while speaking in the National Assembly meeting held on Sunday during emergency and zero hours.

Mentioning that climate change has caused a glacier outburst leading to a flood in Thame, CPN (Unified Socialist) lawmaker Jayanti Devi Rai urged the government to be alert about it.

She said, “It has been said that climate change is the cause of the Thame incident. Such an incident could happen again. We need to be serious in this matter.” 

On August 16, severe floods caused by glacier outburst occurred in Thame of Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5, Solukhumbu. According to CPN-UML lawmaker Sonam Gelzen Sherpa, 13 houses were completely damaged in the flood.

Similarly, 41 houses became uninhabitable, and 10 houses were slightly damaged. One person has gone missing in the 'glacier floods'. Sherpa said that the electricity service has also been disrupted.

Sherpa visited the flood-hit area. He said that due to climate change, two glacial lakes had burst. 

He emphasized the need to conduct research on the impact of climate change in Nepal and for presenting it at the international level. Mentioning that there are five glacial lakes in Thame, with two already burst  and two are at risk, Nepali Congress (NC) lawmaker Krishna Bahadur Rokaya urged the government to take precautionary measures.

CPN-UML lawmaker Indira Devi Gautam urged the government to launch a 'Save the Himalayas’ campaign. Stating that effects of climate change have started to become evident, she said that Nepal should launch a campaign in response to this issue.

CPN (Maoist Center) lawmaker Gopi Bahadur Sarki Achhami said that the government should take immediate steps to relocate the settlements in areas that are likely to be affected by glacial outbursts including Solukhumbu. He suggested that the government proceed with relocating at-risk settlements and advancing research on the issue.

 
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