Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleHimalayan flash floods that killed at least 160 people and left 1,500 missing across Nepal and Tibet were triggered by a violent glacier collapse rather than an earthquake. The United States Geological Survey confirmed the collapse registered a magnitude 5.2 seismic signal as a large section of ice fell roughly 1,200 metres onto the valley floor. The falling ice and debris temporarily dammed the Lhende River in Tibet before giving way, causing water levels in Nepal's Trishuli River to surge by up to nine metres in 30 minutes. The catastrophic flood destroyed at least 19 bridges and 40km of roads, while damaged hydropower infrastructure left several areas without electricity. Experts highlighted the growing threat of glacial lake outburst floods caused by accelerating ice loss across the Himalayas and called for the introduction of early-warning systems. In fullWhat triggered Nepal flash floods? Glacier collapse so powerful it registered as an earthquakeMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Cause of Nepal flash floods explained as desperate search for survivors goes on
Jump to contentAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleHimalayan flash floods that killed at least 160 people and left 1,500 missing across Nepal and Tibet were triggered by a violent glacier collapse rather than an earthquake. The United States Geological Survey confirmed the collapse registered a magnitude 5.2 seismic signal as a large section of ice fell roughly 1,200 metres onto the valley floor. The falling ice and debris temporarily dammed the Lhende River in Tibet before giving way, causing water levels in Nepal's Trishuli River to surge by up to nine metres in 30 minutes. The catastrophic flood destroyed at least 19 bridges and 40km of roads, while damaged hydropower infrastructure left several areas without electricity. Experts highlighted the growing threat of glacial lake outburst floods caused by accelerating ice loss across the Himalayas and called for the introduction of early-warning systems. In fullWhat triggered Nepal flash floods? Glacier collapse so powerful it registered as an earthquakeMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
