Nepal-Tibet Disaster: Glacier Collapse May Have Triggered Deadly Floods
- A massive glacier collapse in the mountains near the Nepal-Tibet border triggered a powerful torrent of water, mud and debris that tore through villages
- The collapse was so forceful it registered as a 5.2-magnitude seismic event, initially mistaken for an earthquake by authorities
- Scientists warn communities living below glaciers face growing risks as global warming causes ice to retreat at an accelerating rate
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Source: Getty Images
ASIA - A catastrophic glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border has killed at least 180 people after a massive chunk of ice plunged into a valley from an altitude of roughly 5,200 metres, unleashing a deadly torrent that swept through communities downstream.
According to AFP, Simon Cox, a principal scientist at New Zealand's GNS Science, described how the falling ice rapidly transformed into a churning mass that swept up rocks, sediment, trees and other debris as it roared through the canyon below.
The disaster struck at 8:37am local time, first hitting a border post where CCTV footage captured mud and debris swallowing the area as people scrambled to escape. The destructive flow then barrelled into Nepal, flattening bridges, flooding villages and destroying buildings in its path.
Collapse mistaken for an earthquake
The sheer force of the glacier collapse generated seismic waves strong enough to be detected as a 5.2-magnitude event. Early reports pointed to an earthquake, but analysis by the US Geological Survey confirmed the tremors originated from the collapse and the debris flow that followed, not tectonic activity.
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Water monitoring stations near the affected area went offline shortly after the event. Authorities recorded river levels reaching 12.3 metres at Kalikhola, close to the Tibet border. Flood warnings were issued around 9am, though it remains unclear how many residents received them in time or had sufficient warning to evacuate.
What scentists believe caused the disaster
Experts initially explored whether a glacial lake outburst flood was responsible. These events occur when a natural barrier holding back glacial meltwater suddenly gives way. However, some scientists found no existing glacial lakes near the site of the collapse. Instead, they believe water stored beneath the glacier may have surged downhill alongside the falling ice, or that the ice temporarily dammed the river before releasing an enormous volume of water all at once.
Conditions in the region had already heightened the risk. Summer snow melt and monsoon rains had raised river levels considerably, while the rushing torrent gathered further mud and debris along its path.
Lauren Vargo, a glaciologist at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, said scientists are now comparing satellite images captured before and after the event to map exactly what changed in the mountains. Because much of the terrain remains inaccessible, ground measurements and satellite data are the primary tools available to researchers.
As global warming accelerates glacial retreat, experts warn these risks will intensify, and that cutting greenhouse gas emissions remains the most effective long-term response.
Durban woman missing after Nepal floods
Briefly News also reported a Durban family is in agony waiting for news about their daughter after she was reported missing following deadly flash floods near the Nepal-Tibet border.Terricia Govender, 33, from Isipingo Beach, had been travelling with a pilgrimage group when the floods tore through the area on a Wednesday, destroying an immigration office near the border crossing. Her family was notified by the foundation that she was among those unaccounted for
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Source: Briefly News
