Nepal floods: What caused the catastrope, and what could happen next
A catastrophic flash flood in Nepal's Rasuwa district has resulted in hundreds of deaths and significant infrastructure damage. Scientists suspect a glacial lake outburst or avalanche, potentially triggered by a recent earthquake, caused the sudden surge of water.
Why it matters
The event highlights the increasing vulnerability of Himalayan regions to climate-related disasters and the need for better early warning systems.
A catastrophic flood swept through Nepal’s Rasuwa district on Wednesday, killing and displacing hundreds of people and destroying bridges and other infrastructure along the Bhotekoshi river corridor.The death toll from the massive flash floods has risen to at least 353, police said.Bodies have since been recovered from Rasuwa and neighbouring districts, including Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Tanahun, Gorkha and Nawalparasi East, as scientists and climate experts investigate the cause of the sudden torrent.What caused the catastrophe?Scientists investigating the cause of the flash floods believe a glacier-related avalanche may have triggered the sudden surge of water.Analysis of satellite imagery indicates that a large mass of ice and rock may have fallen into a river, temporarily blocking its flow and creating a natural dam that later breached, sending floodwaters downstream, as cited by the Kathmandu Post.The US Geological Survey recorded a magnitude 4.4 earthquake in Tibet at 8.37 am Nepal time on Wednesday,…
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