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Collapsed glacier likely caused devastating Nepal-Tibet floods, scientists say
Preliminary investigations have pointed to a collapsed glacier as the cause of the flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border, highlighting the issue of rapidly melting Himalayan ice, scientists have told the BBC.
TL;DR
- A flash flood on the Nepal-Tibet border, resulting in at least 177 deaths, was likely caused by a glacial collapse.
- The event registered a magnitude of 5.2 due to the impact of the collapsing glacier.
- Scientists from the University of Dundee and ICIMOD analyzed the event, suggesting an ice-rock avalanche originating from a high-altitude area.
- The incident highlights concerns about rapidly melting Himalayan ice due to climate change, with glaciers losing ice at double the rate since 2000.
- Previous similar incidents, including a major glacial collapse in India in 2021, are cited as evidence of increasing hazards in the cryosphere.