In Nepal and Tibet, floods triggered by ice-rock avalanche bring devastation

• Environment Environment Environment
• Nepal Nepal Nepal

Floods and mudslides of unprecedented violence, brought on by the collapse of a high-altitude glacier, have buried villages and roads, killing at least 180 people and leaving more than 1,300 missing as of Thursday. The affected region is popular with trekkers and Hindu pilgrims.

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It may be one of the worst disasters Nepal has ever experienced. Footage of the flood that suddenly swept through the north of the country, near the border with Tibet, on Wednesday, August 26, showed an exceptional level of destruction. A powerful wave of water and mud swept away everything in its path. Videos of the disaster captured people powerless in front of a mountain tsunami, trying only briefly to flee before being swallowed by a torrent of earth and debris. Buildings, buses and roads followed suit. The toll, which remains very provisional, stood on Thursday at 180 dead at least and 1,300 missing, including hundreds of foreign tourists. According to initial estimates published by local media, some nine hydroelectric facilities, 19 bridges and 40 kilometers of road were destroyed.

As rescue operations were being organized to assist survivors, scientists sought to understand the causes of the tragedy. According to the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the disaster "may have been triggered by an ice-rock avalanche originating from a high-altitude area" on the Tibetan side.

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