4 days ago
New Nepal Glacier Lake Raises Further Flooding Fears
A glacier near Nepal’s border with Tibet collapsed and sent a huge mixture of ice, rocks, mud and water downhill.
The flood moved through rivers and damaged towns and roads.
A new lake, about 20.25 hectares in size, has formed where the collapse began.
Experts at Suhora Technologies say the lake may keep collecting meltwater.
If it grows or suddenly breaks, another flood could travel downstream.
Betrawati’s business area was covered by mud, rocks and debris.
Bridges and electricity equipment were also damaged.
Satellite pictures are helping rescuers understand the damage because many roads are blocked.
Satellite imagery identified a newly formed 20.25-hectare lake near the source of Nepal’s ice-rock avalanche.
Suhora Technologies warned that accumulating meltwater could cause another outburst flood downstream.
The avalanche sent ice, rock and debris through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river system toward Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
Betrawati’s commercial center was buried, while bridges, power lines and substations were damaged.
High-resolution satellite images are helping assess building damage while ground access remains severely disrupted.
- Who
- An ice-rock avalanche affected communities in Nepal and China’s Tibet region; Suhora Technologies identified the newly formed lake and assessed damage.
- What
- A glacier collapse triggered a major flood and debris flow, while a new lake raised concern about a possible additional outburst flood.
- Where
- The event began in the high-altitude Lhende Khola region near the Nepal-Tibet border and affected the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river system, including Betrawati, Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
- When
- The avalanche occurred on Wednesday, and the lake was identified in satellite imagery captured on Thursday, according to the article.
- Why
- The lake may continue accumulating meltwater, potentially causing another downstream flood if it breaks or overflows.
Key facts
- New lake size
- Approximately 20.25 hectares
- Lake location
- The high-altitude Lhende Khola region, near the source of the avalanche
- Flood system
- The Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river system
- Affected Nepal districts
- Rasuwa and Nuwakot
- Damage in Betrawati
- Mud, boulders and debris buried the commercial core
- Infrastructure damage
- Bridges, power lines and substations were damaged
- Satellite resolution
- High-resolution optical imagery with 70-centimeter resolution
Quotes
Suhora Technologies
Indian space-data analytics and intelligence company assessing flood damage and hazards
“Following Suhora's initial assessment of the Betrawati damage, the company has identified a newly formed lake at the source of the ice-rock avalanche that triggered the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli flood.”
rediff.com
“Bridges have washed out, cutting off ground access to the area, and power lines and substations have been damaged, disrupting communications.”
rediff.com
Sources
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