157 Dead, 435 Missing In Nepal As Glacial Collapse Triggers Catastrophic Flash Floods

A glacial collapse and debris flow, rather than an earthquake, triggered the catastrophic flash floods that swept through parts of Nepal and Tibet, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The US agency said seismic activity initially reported as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was instead generated by a landslide involving ice and rock. The collapse caused catastrophic downstream impacts as debris and water surged through the Lhende River, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi.

157 killed in Nepal, hundreds still missing

Nepal authorities have reported 157 deaths, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for. The missing include security personnel and foreign tourists and pilgrims.

Across Nepal and Tibet, the combined death toll has reached at least 160, with three deaths reported on the Chinese side. Authorities fear the toll could rise as rescue teams continue searching affected areas.

Ice and rock collapse triggered massive flood

The disaster struck after an ice-and-rock mass collapsed in the Himalayan region, sending a huge volume of debris into the Lhende River.

The resulting surge travelled into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, inundating settlements and sweeping away roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other infrastructure. Initial reports had suggested that an earthquake may have triggered the collapse, but USGS analysis later found that the seismic signal itself was generated by the landslide.

No warning from rainfall

The disaster was particularly sudden because no rainfall was reported in the immediate area when the flood struck. Residents near the Nepal-China border were reportedly going about their normal routines when the torrent arrived.

The flooding severely affected the Rasuwa and Dhading areas, with the Nepal-China border region among the worst-hit locations.

Infrastructure swept away

The disaster caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. According to Nepal authorities, nine hydropower projects, at least 19 motorable bridges and numerous public and private properties were swept away or severely damaged.

Security personnel were also among those missing, with the government reporting dozens of Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel out of contact.

India sends relief assistance

India has extended 10 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal for relief operations following the disaster.

The assistance was formally handed over by India's Ambassador to Nepal, Naveen Srivastava, to Nepal's Minister of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Khadak Raj Paudel. India has said it will continue providing support to Nepal as rescue and relief operations continue.

The catastrophe has highlighted the growing risks posed by glacial instability and sudden ice-and-rock collapses in the Himalayan region, where rapidly changing mountain conditions can produce devastating downstream impacts.