DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Disasters & Emergencies

Scientists suspect ice avalanche triggered Bhotekoshi flood

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Scientists suspect an ice avalanche blocked the Lhende river, causing a sudden flood in the Bhotekoshi river.
  • An earthquake on the Tibetan side and the possibility of a glacial lake outburst are also being investigated.
  • Authorities are prioritizing rescue and relief efforts while continuing to investigate the flood's cause.

An ice avalanche is the leading suspect in triggering a sudden flood that surged down the Bhotekoshi river, according to initial assessments by climate researchers. The event, which occurred early Wednesday, is believed to have blocked the Lhende river, causing water to build up before bursting downstream.

There is information that an ice avalanche from the Nepal side blocked the Lhende river.

— Rijan Bhakta Kayasthaprofessor at Kathmandu University and climate researcher, explaining the initial assessment of the flood's cause.

Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, a professor at Kathmandu University and climate researcher, stated that preliminary findings suggest an ice avalanche from the Nepal side obstructed the Lhende river. This occurred around the same time a magnitude 4.4 earthquake struck Tibetan territory, adding another potential factor to the investigation.

Scientists are also examining the possibility of a glacial lake outburst, a phenomenon that has caused similar floods in the area previously. Glaciologist Mohan Bahadur Chand's work highlights the presence of several large glacial lakes in the region. Kayastha noted that the Lhende river was also blocked in a similar incident last year, further supporting the theory of an upstream blockage.

This was not a regular flood. Looking at the nature of the flooding, it appears to have come as a sudden burst.

— Rijan Bhakta Kayasthaprofessor at Kathmandu University and climate researcher, ruling out heavy rainfall as the main cause.

While heavy rainfall has been ruled out as the primary cause due to the flood's sudden, burst-like nature, authorities are focused on immediate rescue and relief operations. Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, confirmed that preliminary information about an ice avalanche was received through the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The exact cause, however, is expected to become clearer as investigations continue.

We have not received any official information yet. But ICIMOD has shared the information it received from the other side with us. This is only an initial assessment. We are focused on rescue and relief efforts for now. The cause will become clearer gradually.

— Shanti Mahatspokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, on the ongoing investigation and relief efforts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog