Disastrous rainfall

Heavy rainfall in India’s Sikkim states which killed 10 people,  and a number of soldiers and civilians are still missing is so sad and painful (“Floods in India’s Sikkim state leave 10 dead, 23 soldiers among dozens missing,” Oct.5, Gulf Today website).

According to the report, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) — almost five times its normal rate of 8.6 mm for this time of the year. A cloudburst — or an extreme amount of rain over a brief period of time — over Lhonak lake triggered the torrential flooding in the valley located about 150 km north of Gangtok near the border with China.

The world has to take climate change seriously. Because the ongoing spell of heavy rain and flooding are unusual. As the India Meteorological Department mentioned in its report that heavy rainfall was almost five times its normal rate of 8.6 mm for this time of the year.

It’s so sad that people of India’s Sikkim states are going through a tough time dealing with the disaster of heavy rain and flooding because of climate change. I hope the world leaders will reach a solid climate change mechanism and save the world from the disasters of global warming.

Abbas Usman,
By email