A section of a glacier may have collapsed and crashed into a valley near Nepal’s border with Tibet, triggering a devastating flash flood, experts said after reviewing satellite images.
The disaster occurred in the mountainous Rasuwa district, where authorities fear the death toll could rise significantly. Nearly 100 bodies had been recovered, while more than 300 people were reported missing.
Satellite images reviewed by Reuters showed that a previously green mountainside had been covered by large amounts of brown debris and sediment. Experts believe a substantial portion of a glacier broke away at an altitude of about 5,200 metres and fell roughly 1,200 metres to the valley floor.
Nepali officials said an ice-rock avalanche caused the flash floods, although it remains unclear what triggered the glacier collapse. An earthquake reported in the area shortly before the disaster is one possible explanation.
Scientists also noted that unusually warm conditions may have contributed to rapid snow and ice melting before the flood. Nepal’s glaciers have experienced significant ice loss in recent decades, with climate change considered an important factor, although its specific role in this disaster has yet to be established.
The powerful flood carried water, mud, rocks and other debris through the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. Downstream water levels reportedly rose by as much as nine metres within just 30 minutes.
Several hydropower projects are located in the worst-affected area, raising concerns about further damage and casualties.
Authorities and rescue teams continue searching for survivors as the scale of the disaster becomes clearer.
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