Nepal Police: Death Toll From 'The Great Flood' Rises to 157... Glacial Collapse Pointed as Cause

The death toll from massive floods and landslides that struck the border region between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China has risen to at least 157.

The Nepal Police announced via social media X that 157 bodies have been recovered so far.

Nepal Police stated that multiple teams are currently deployed for search and rescue operations in the flood-affected areas, and are also tasked with delivering relief supplies and compiling the death toll.

The police also reported that 28 police officers remain missing in the Rasuwa district, where the damage was concentrated.

Regarding the cause of this major flood, officials from the Nepali government stated in interviews with foreign media that rapidly swelling water due to melting ice could be the cause.

Weight is being given to the possibility that a glacial lake, which takes the form of a natural dam made of sand, collapsed.

A glacial lake is a body of water formed by glacial erosion or deposition, created when meltwater is dammed by sand and other materials.

The Himalayas experience their monsoon season from June to September, when temperatures are at their highest, and it is estimated that rainfall and glacial meltwater caused by high summer temperatures continuously flowed into upstream glacial lakes.

Meteorological department officials in Nepal also stated that an analysis of satellite imagery captured massive chunks of ice, presumed to be part of a glacier, breaking off from the Himalayas on the Chinese Tibetan side of the border.

They suggested that these ice blocks may have dragged down surrounding rocks and debris, causing the volume of water to swell rapidly.

Meanwhile, at least nine South Koreans are currently out of contact locally, while another 10 South Koreans were temporarily isolated but are now reported to be safe.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.