Rescue teams are searching along the Nepal-China border for hundreds of missing people following a catastrophic glacier collapse that triggered deadly flash floods and mudslides across the Himalayan region, according to reports from the Associated Press. The disaster left at least 168 people dead and more than 1,300 missing, displacing hundreds of residents and trapping foreign nationals and pilgrims in steep mountain valleys.
Glacier Collapse Triggers Catastrophic Himalayan Floods
Geological Survey initially recorded as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake north of Kathmandu. The agency later updated its analysis using satellite imagery and seismic station data, determining that the event was actually a magnitude 5.2 glacier collapse that sent massive debris down steep river valleys.
Did you know? Researchers in Kathmandu reported earlier this year that glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region are melting at an accelerated pace, with ice loss rates doubling since 2000 due to human-caused climate change.
Search and Rescue Operations Hampered by Damaged Infrastructure
Nepalese officials reported that dozens of bridges were destroyed and nearly 40 kilometers (25 miles) of roads were damaged, severely complicating ground access to the hardest-hit communities. Gen. Raja Ram Basnet, the Nepalese army deployed helicopters to rescue more than 100 people, airlifting at least eight foreign nationals to Kathmandu and evacuating workers trapped at facilities linked to the Trishuli hydropower project. Downstream in the Chitwan district, rescuers recovered bodies hundreds of kilometers from the initial disaster zone.
In Tibet, a massive mudslide struck near the land border crossing of Gyirong Port, burying surrounding areas in mud averaging more than 1.5 meters (5 feet) deep, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. Chinese authorities deployed a large military transport aircraft and teams to handle the crisis, while responders faced additional hazards from a newly formed barrier lake near the port.
Hundreds of Foreigners and Pilgrims Among the Missing
Nepal’s Tourism Board reported that 517 of the missing individuals in the country are foreign nationals, including 178 from India. Many of the missing Indian citizens were traveling on a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash in Tibet, a sacred Hindu site. The missing also include more than 60 U.S. citizens, alongside individuals from roughly 30 other countries, ranging from Ukraine and the United Kingdom to South Africa and Japan.
Spiritual leader Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, head of the Isha Foundation, stated on social media that 77 members of one of his pilgrimage groups were caught in the flash floods at the Nepal-China border immigration office. In a video statement, he noted that the entire building where his group processed immigration just a week prior had been washed away, with no official word on the whereabouts of those present, including 22 U.S. nationals. Meanwhile, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian reported that nearly 100 Chinese citizens remain missing on the Nepal side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flash floods in Nepal and Tibet?
According to the U.S. Geological Survey and climate experts, the disaster was caused by a magnitude 5.2 glacier collapse that sent an avalanche of water and debris rushing down steep Himalayan valleys.
How many people are missing or dead?
Authorities report at least 168 deaths and more than 1,300 missing across Nepal and Tibet, including hundreds of foreign nationals and pilgrims.
How are rescue teams accessing isolated areas?
With nearly 40 kilometers of roads damaged and dozens of bridges destroyed, military helicopters are conducting airlifts to rescue stranded residents and evacuate injured individuals to Kathmandu.
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