A partial glacier collapse in the Himalayas on Wednesday morning triggered flash floods and mudslides along the border of Nepal and China’s Tibet region, leaving at least 160 people dead and nearly 1,500 missing, according to government officials and state media reports. The event, which occurred around 8:40 a.m. local time, sent a surge of water, rock, and debris through river valleys, affecting communities and infrastructure in both countries.
The incident began when a large section of a glacier at an elevation of approximately 5,200 meters (17,000 feet) broke away, according to satellite imagery analysis. The resulting ice-rock avalanche traveled about 1,200 meters down into the Lhende River valley in Tibet, approximately 20 kilometers from the Nepalese border. Debris from the avalanche temporarily dammed the river, and the subsequent failure of this natural dam released a powerful flood downstream.
Early reports indicated a magnitude 4.4 earthquake may have triggered the collapse. However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) later stated the seismic signal it detected was generated by the landslide itself, registering as a magnitude 5.2 event.
Nepalese police have confirmed 157 fatalities within Nepal, while Chinese state media reported three deaths in Tibet’s Gyirong County. The number of missing persons is estimated at nearly 1,500 across the region. In Nepal, 826 people are unaccounted for, including nearly 600 foreign tourists from over two dozen countries, according to police and tourism officials. Chinese authorities reported 558 people missing in Tibet, of whom 260 are foreign nationals.
The floodwaters inundated the Lhende Khola river, which flows into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers in Nepal. The surge damaged or destroyed at least 19 bridges and 40 kilometers (25 miles) of roads, complicating rescue efforts. Communities in Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts experienced significant damage.
Both Nepal and China have launched extensive search and rescue operations. Nepal has mobilized more than 5,000 army and police personnel, deploying helicopters to evacuate survivors, search for the missing, and deliver emergency supplies to areas cut off by the floods. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an “all-out” search and rescue mission in Tibet, according to state media.
International aid has been offered to support the response. India sent an aircraft with approximately 10 tonnes of relief materials. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) released 1 million Swiss francs ($1.2 million) in emergency funds. The European Union activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service to provide satellite mapping of the disaster zone, and the United Nations has deployed personnel to support government-led efforts. The United States announced $500,000 in immediate assistance, while South Korea formed a government task force to assist in the search for its missing nationals.
Scientists are investigating the specific factors that led to the glacier collapse. The event occurred in a region that has experienced accelerated glacial melt in recent decades. A 2023 report from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development noted that glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region lost ice 65 percent faster from 2011 to 2020 compared to the previous decade. Researchers have not yet established a direct link between long-term climate trends and Wednesday’s specific event.
