Nepal Floods: Hundreds Missing After Glacier Collapse Triggers Mud Torrent
A glacier collapse in Nepal unleashed a deadly flood, killing 353 and leaving over 1,300 missing in the Himalayan region.
Rescue operations continued on Thursday along the Nepal-China border, where a catastrophic flood triggered by a glacier collapse has killed at least 353 people. The torrent of water and mud, reportedly several stories high, swept through communities on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
In the hard-hit Nuwakot district, video footage showed villages overrun by mud and water. Several buildings were partially submerged, while others were heavily damaged. Debris hung from tree branches and power lines, vehicles were buried under the sludge, and stunned survivors were seen caked in mud.
The disaster has left more than 1,300 people missing, including a significant number of foreigners and pilgrims. Hundreds of others have been displaced across the Himalayan region.
The steep slopes and lush valleys below the Himalayan range, home to many of the world's highest peaks and remaining glaciers, are particularly vulnerable to such flooding and landslides. Scientists note that melting glaciers have become more frequent due to human-caused climate change, increasing the risk of catastrophic events in these fragile mountain ecosystems.