Satellite images reveal Nepal flood devastation: 'Entire villages vanished'

Satellite images have captured the devastating aftermath of floods in northern Nepal, triggered by a collapse of a Himalayan glacial lake. The images, analyzed by BBC Verify using data from the US satellite company Planet Labs, show the catastrophic impact on communities along the Trishuli River.

The scale of destruction is stark, with border crossings between Nepal and Tibet appearing almost entirely swept away. CCTV footage documented the terrifying moments when massive torrents of water engulfed buildings, forcing people to flee for their lives.

Communities like Timure village suffered immense losses, with many homes on hillsides disappearing or being buried in mud. Further downstream, in Syaphrubesi, approximately 10 kilometers along the river, houses, bridges, and a hydropower plant were inundated by mud, rocks, and debris.

The village of Trishuli, about 45 kilometers further downriver, also saw a significant area completely washed away. Videos from the scene show bridges collapsing under the force of the water as residents screamed and evacuated. The initial glacial collapse is believed to be the starting point of this devastating event.