Nepal-Tibet floods: millions at risk from glacial floods in Himalayas in years to come, UN warns, as death toll passes 1,000 – as it happened

From 1 Sept 2026Himalayas face severe glacial flood risks in years ahead, UN official warnsThe Himalayan region faces severe risks from future glacial floods, an assistant secretary-general at the UN has warned.The Nepal-Tibet floods have overrun hydropower facilities, knocking out about 10% of Nepal’s power capacity. There are now fears that entire riverbanks where millions of people live might become ⁠effectively uninhabitable.“Technology cannot move fast enough to prevent loss along these massive river systems that catch the overflow of the glacier lakes,” Kanni Wignaraja told the Reuters news agency.Researchers identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes in Nepal, China and India in 2020 – but the real figure is now thought to be significantly higher.A satellite image shows one of two lakes at the site of the glacial collapse in the border area between Nepal and Tibet Autonomous Region in China, on 28 August 2026. Photograph: SPOT ©CNES 2026, Distribution Airbus DS/ReutersThe population at risk “goes into ‌the millions”, Wignaraja said, citing updated data compiled by the United Nations Development Programme and partner organisations in June.Last week’s catastrophic flooding was triggered when parts of a glacier near the Langtang Lirung mountain peak collapsed and fell to the valley floor, unleashing a landslide that sent a flood wave down the Trishuli River.Glacier lake outbursts happen when melting glacier water accumulates behind a natural barrier, with pressure eventually ‌resulting in a break or overflow that sends a flash flood downstream.Both threats are on the rise, UN officials say, as the climate crisis accelerates glacier melt in the region, loosening ​rocks and putting more pressure on glacier lake barriers.Key events1 Sept 2026Closing summary1 Sept 2026Nepal says flood death toll rises to 1,050, with total killed now 1,0661 Sept 2026Himalayas face severe glacial flood risks in years ahead, UN official warns1 Sept 2026Death toll from floods rises to 1,010, with thousands still missing, Nepal's foreign ministry says1 Sept 202643,000 women and girls in Nepal need urgent humanitarian assistance, UN warns1 Sept 2026Warning signs visible days before Nepal glacier collapse, report suggests1 Sept 2026Nepal tourism department publishes list of names of missing people1 Sept 2026Death toll from Nepal-China flood disaster exceeds 1,000, authorities sayClosing summary