Government officials announced today, Friday, October 6, 2023, that at least 40 people have died due to a glacial lake flood this week in the Himalayas of India, as rescuers search for dozens who are still missing.

The Lunak lake located in the mountainous state of Sikkim overflowed its banks on Wednesday, causing a major flood that authorities said affected the lives of 22,000 people.

The floods swept away homes and bridges, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes.

This is the latest climate-related disaster to result in casualties in the mountainous region of South Asia attributed to climate change.

Officials in Sikkim also reported that the death toll had reached 18 by last evening, Thursday.

Officials in the neighboring state of West Bengal at the lake's outlet said rescue teams have recovered 22 more bodies that were swept away by the waters.

The Indian army also announced that it intends to evacuate about 1,500 stranded tourists using helicopters as the weather improves in the area.