DistantNews
Support us
Nepal: Shocking Video Shows Glacier Collapse in Himalayas, Hundreds Dead
๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ท Greece /Environment & Climate

Nepal: Shocking Video Shows Glacier Collapse in Himalayas, Hundreds Dead

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Ongoing story
  • Severe floods in Nepal and Tibet have resulted in at least 567 deaths and 1,924 people missing, with rescue efforts ongoing.
  • Authorities are monitoring a newly formed lake near the Nepal-China border due to fears of overflow and further flooding.
  • Verified drone footage captures the moment a glacier collapsed in the Himalayas, linked to the subsequent floods.

Catastrophic floods have ravaged parts of Nepal and Tibet, leaving vast expanses submerged in water and mud. The current death toll stands at a grim 567, with an additional 1,924 individuals still unaccounted for. Rescue and recovery operations are actively underway as authorities brace for the possibility of additional flood events.

A new alert was issued on Friday, August 28, along Nepal's northern border with China. Officials are closely observing a lake formed after the disaster, concerned that it may breach its banks and trigger another wave of flooding. This situation adds to the ongoing crisis as the region grapples with the aftermath of the initial deluge.

Compounding the disaster, verified drone footage has emerged, capturing the dramatic collapse of a Himalayan glacier. The incident, recorded near the Langtang Lirung peak at an altitude exceeding 7,200 meters, shows massive dust clouds rising against the snow-capped mountains. Experts believe this glacial event is directly linked to the subsequent devastating floods that swept through the region.

Nepalese authorities are now intensely monitoring two additional glaciers in proximity to the one that collapsed. Meteorological Service officials are examining drone imagery for signs of cracks, though experts caution that fissures do not automatically indicate an imminent collapse, as they can be long-standing formations. Senior officials emphasize the need for close observation following the recent catastrophic event.

Scientists from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) have noted that these glaciers feed the Lende River, which also overflowed. Satellite imagery suggests one of these glaciers may hold a significant amount of ice, necessitating further monitoring. The presence of hanging glaciers, situated on steep slopes like the one that collapsed, is identified as a particularly high risk.

After what happened to the nearby glacier, we are trying to monitor the situation as closely as possible.

โ€” Senior official of the Hydrology and Meteorology Service of NepalSpeaking to the BBC about the monitoring of nearby glaciers.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.