India, Aug. 5 -- Horrifying visuals showing floodwaters and mud surging down a mountain and crashing into Uttarakhand's Dharali, washing away homes, hotels and a market in the Bhagirathi Ecosensitive Zone on Tuesday have once again put the spotlight on the impact of climate change in the upper reaches of the Western Himalayas.

Experts said the impact was expected to be particularly devastating because of the extent of construction on what appears to be the riverbed of Khir Ganga, a tributary of the Bhagirathi. For now, officials have only confirmed four deaths but stressed that dozens were still missing.

Locals have indicated that a massive amount of rainfall was recorded in the upper reaches of Khir Ganga.

To be sure, the India Meteor...