Horrific Flash Flood in Nepal hundreds likely more dead

Glacial Collapse Led to Nepal Flood, Many Dead, 100s Missing​

August 27, 2026

Earthquake monitors say a glacial collapse on Wednesday caused seismic activity and “catastrophic” downstream impacts in Nepal and Tibet.

The seismic activity was initially reported as an earthquake, but the US Geological Survey explained on Thursday that the disaster “was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow” that “caused subsequent catastrophic impacts downstream.”

At least 160 people were killed by a horrifying torrent of water and debris that crashed downstream on either side of the Nepal-Tibet border. Nepali officials said more than 400 foreign tourists were missing – including many from India (133), the United States (47), Australia (34) and Britain (33).

China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported 265 were missing in the Tibet region’s Gyirong County near the border, while state news agency Xinhua reported significant casualties.

Dramatic video footage emerged from security cameras on the Chinese side of the Nepal-Tibet border as a massive wave of water and mud swept through towns along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.

It showed dozens of people fleeing before a torrent of rock, mud and water destroyed homes, buildings and vehicles.

Separate images of the flash flood also showed a metal bridge being washed away and then buildings submerged in mud.

The cause of the disaster was not immediately clear in the hours after it occurred on Wednesday morning, but Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal had said an earthquake likely triggered an avalanche and a flash flood along the Bhote Koshi river in Rasuwa.

Other theories advanced included a glacial lake flood – when a fragile debris wall holding back glacier melt collapses – or an ice avalanche.

USGS said “a magnitude 5.2 seismic event occurred near the border between Nepal and China on Aug 26 at 8:37am local time.”

“This event was initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. Additional analysis of nearby seismic stations, long period seismic waves, and satellite imagery led to the determination that the seismic event was instead a glacial collapse and debris flow, and that no earthquake had occurred.”

Climate experts at the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development also believe a glacier avalanche was the likely cause of the flood.

The group said river water levels rose by up to nine metres in half an hour at the height of the flood.

The Nepali military has sent more than a dozen helicopters to rescue survivors off rooftops, while China has deployed over 570 rescue personnel to help survivors at evacuation zones and restore services in the border area.

Meanwhile, analysts say this latest disaster is yet another indication of world leaders’ failure to respond vigorously to the global warming crisis and the need for a swifter transition from fossil fuels.

 
This reminds me of those Japanese tsunamis that happened causing the fukushima nuclear incident. It just wiped people right off the map
 

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