Tibet border described as 'apocalyptic'
Mountaineer Pat Falvey describes catastrophic flooding on the Nepal-Tibet border as 'apocalyptic' following a glacier collapse that blocked a river. The disaster has left hundreds missing and dead, impacting popular trekking routes and holy sites during a festival period.
Why it matters
The event highlights the increasing danger of climate-driven glacial instability in the Himalayas and the vulnerability of remote, high-altitude communities.
Kerry-based explorer and mountaineer Pat Falvey has described the devastating floods on the Nepal-Tibet border as "apocalyptic".
Mr Falvey, who has been to Nepal over 70 times and considers it his "spiritual home", said the area where it happened was "very populated" and without a warning system unlike other parts of Nepal.
Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, he said what has happened is a catastrophe and he is concerned that the death toll will rise significantly.
Almost 1,400 people, including around 800 foreigners, are missing across Nepal and Tibet, authorities said, after a wall of mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, sending catastrophic flash floods through towns and valleys.
Nepali police have said at least 359 people are dead.
Mr Falvey, who leads expeditions to Nepal, said he "really got a fright" and thought it was "AI" when he saw the initial videos.
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