1 week ago
Ice-Rock Landslide Triggers Catastrophic Floods Along Nepal-Tibet Border
A huge pile of ice, rocks and mud fell into a river near Nepal’s border with Tibet.
The river became blocked, and water then rushed through nearby towns and valleys.
The flood destroyed homes, roads, bridges, vehicles and power facilities.
A small earthquake was first thought to have caused the collapse, but scientists said the shaking may have been produced by the collapse itself.
Many people died, and the reported number of missing people changed as officials gathered more information.
Tourists, local residents, police officers and hydropower workers were among those unaccounted for.
Helicopters are searching for survivors and delivering food and other supplies.
Rescuers are struggling because roads are destroyed and thick mud covers the area.
Officials are also watching an upstream blockage that could cause another flood.
An ice-and-rock landslide collapsed into the Lhende Khola River, unleashing a debris-filled flood across Nepal’s border region.
A magnitude 4.4 earthquake was initially suspected as the trigger, but the United States Geological Survey said the seismic signal came from the collapse itself.
Nepal police reported 157 bodies recovered, while earlier reports listed 95 or fewer deaths and officials expected the toll to rise.
Nearly 1,500 people were reported missing across Nepal and Tibet, including at least 800 foreigners, tourists, police personnel and hydropower workers.
Rescue teams are using helicopters and emergency supplies, but destroyed roads, thick sediment and a remaining upstream blockage threaten further flooding.
- Who
- Residents, tourists, travelers, Nepalese police personnel, hydropower workers and rescuers in Nepal, Tibet and neighboring countries were involved or affected.
- What
- An ice-and-rock landslide caused a debris-filled flash flood that killed people, destroyed infrastructure and left hundreds or possibly nearly 1,500 people missing.
- Where
- The flooding affected Nepal’s Rasuwa district and the Lhende Khola River near the Nepal-China border; a mudslide also hit Gyirong Port in Tibet.
- When
- The disaster struck on Wednesday, August 26, with rescue and search operations continuing on Thursday, August 27.
- Why
- Satellite analysis indicated that an ice-and-rock landslide entered and blocked the river, although the precise trigger of the landslide remained disputed.
Landslide and debris-flow explanation
Earthquake-trigger explanation
What caused the initial collapse?
Landslide and debris-flow explanation
Satellite analysis and assessments from Nepalese disaster officials and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development indicated that an ice-and-rock avalanche or landslide entered the Lhende River and caused the flood.
Earthquake-trigger explanation
Initial reports from Nepalese officials suggested that an earthquake may have caused part of a glacier or ice-rock formation to collapse, but the precise trigger was not confirmed.
Meaning of the seismic signal
Landslide and debris-flow explanation
The United States Geological Survey said the reported magnitude 4.4 signal was seismic energy generated by the collapse of glacial rock and ice, followed by the debris flow.
Earthquake-trigger explanation
The German Research Centre for Geosciences detected a possible magnitude 4.4 event about seven minutes before the security footage timestamp, leaving open the possibility that an earthquake helped trigger the collapse.
Casualty and missing-person counts
Landslide and debris-flow explanation
Later reports cited 157 recovered bodies and nearly 1,500 missing people across Nepal and Tibet, with officials warning that the numbers could rise.
Earthquake-trigger explanation
Earlier reports cited 95 or at least nine deaths and between 341 and 384 missing travelers, reflecting earlier and still-changing counts.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- Nepal police later reported 157 recovered bodies; earlier reports cited 95, at least nine, or other lower figures as authorities verified casualties.
- Missing people
- Reports on August 27 said 826 people were missing in Nepal and 558 in Tibet, totaling nearly 1,500; at least 800 were foreigners.
- Missing travelers
- Earlier counts ranged from 341 to more than 400 missing tourists or travelers, including Indians, Nepalis, Americans, Britons, Australians and Canadians.
- Suspected mechanism
- Planet Labs satellite imagery indicated that an ice-and-rock landslide about 20 kilometers northeast of the Rasuwagadhi crossing triggered a debris-laden flood in the Lhende River.
- Earthquake evidence
- The German Research Centre for Geosciences identified a possible magnitude 4.4 seismic event shortly before footage of the disaster, while the United States Geological Survey attributed the signal to the collapse and debris flow.
- Damage
- Homes, roads, bridges, communications links and power facilities were destroyed or damaged; Nepal’s electricity authority reported about 430 megawatts of affected production capacity.
- Rescue operation
- More than 5,000 Nepalese army and police personnel were mobilized, while Chinese reports cited either at least 574 rescuers or 601 personnel and 113 vehicles at the border crossing.
- Continuing danger
- A blockage or dammed lake remained upstream, prompting warnings of another flood and alerts in India’s Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states.
Quotes
Keshav Prasad Baral
A 68-year-old flood survivor being treated in hospital
“I got a call from (my brother-in-law) this morning, and they were crying and said their entire house had been swept away. Three family members were rescued, but his brother is still missing”
easterneye.biz
“the most urgent task is doing everything possible to search for and rescue the missing people... quickly treat injured people and minimise casualties to the greatest extent possible”
easterneye.biz
U.S. State Department spokesperson
A spokesperson for the U.S. government
“The State Department is aware of Americans impacted by the floods in Nepal and is closely tracking the situation.”
theprint.in
Sources
Flash flood kills at least 95 in Nepal, hundreds, including tourists, still missing
Nearly 1,500 missing in Nepal and China after devastating Himalaya flood
What triggered the catastrophic floods on the Nepal-Tibet border and where does the rescue stand?
What triggered the catastrophic flood on the Nepal-Tibet border?
Hundreds missing after devastating flood hits Nepal-Tibet border, 95 bodies recovered
Hundreds missing after flood hits Nepal-Tibet border, 157 bodies recovered
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