According to reports from Telex, more than 157 people have died and over 400 foreign nationals are missing following a catastrophic flash flood in Nepal triggered by a glacial avalanche on Wednesday. The sudden surge swept through villages along the Bhotekoshi river, prompting confirmation from the Hungarian Foreign Ministry that two Hungarian citizens are among the missing.
Satellite Analysis Points to Glacial Avalanche in Nepal
Initial evaluations of satellite imagery by a team of geologists and glacier researchers indicate that an ice avalanche from a high-altitude glacier sparked the disaster, according to The New York Times and Telex. Daniel Shugar, a geologist at the University of Calgary in Canada, stated that the ice mass dropped more than one kilometer into the valley, where it rapidly transformed into water. Shugar noted that it remains too early to rule out other contributing factors, and the exact causes are still under investigation. The New York Times reported that climate change is accelerating glacial melting, driving an increase in such volatile events.
Bhotekoshi River Flash Flood Destroys Infrastructure
The Bhotekoshi river, which flows through both Nepal and Tibet, breached its banks on Wednesday morning, according to Telex. The ensuing wall of water washed away homes, roads, bridges, and power facilities, cutting off multiple settlements. This mirrors a similar event from the previous year, when an outburst from a glacial lake in Tibet caused a flood that killed nine people and destroyed the Friendship Bridge connecting Nepal and China, as detailed by Telex.
Hungarian Citizens Among the Missing
The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that two Hungarian nationals are affected by the disaster. According to the ministry’s announcement, the two individuals have been reported as missing to the consulate and the foreign ministry. Local authorities and rescue teams are facing severe access challenges as they search for survivors among the hundreds of reported missing persons.
Did You Know?
Glacial outburst floods, known as GLOFs (Glacial Lake Outburst Floods), occur when water dammed by a glacier or moraine is suddenly released.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flash flood in Nepal?
According to geological assessments of satellite imagery reported by Telex, the flash flood was likely caused by a high-altitude ice avalanche that plunged more than a kilometer into the valley and rapidly melted.
Are there any foreign casualties or missing persons?
Yes. Nepalese officials reported that over 400 foreign nationals are missing, and the Hungarian Foreign Ministry confirmed that two Hungarian citizens are among the missing.
Has this happened in the region before?
Yes. According to Telex, the Bhotekoshi river also flooded the previous year due to a Tibetan glacial lake outburst, which killed nine people and destroyed the Barátság-híd (Friendship Bridge).
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