Climate change: Nepal-China border floods linked to glacier collapse, not earthquake

On Wednesday, sudden floods struck the China-Nepal border, leaving experts puzzled about the cause. Initially, an earthquake was suspected, but further investigation revealed the culprit was a massive rock-ice avalanche in Nepal. This avalanche blocked the Lhende river, leading to devastating floods downstream. The US Geological Survey later confirmed that no earthquake had occurred, but rather a glacial collapse and debris flow.

This disaster highlights the link between climate change and glacial instability. The scientific community is now trying to determine what triggered this unusual event. Chinese media reports suggested a mudslide occurred on the Nepal side, causing severe casualties at China's border port of Gyirong in Xigaze, Tibet. Chinese officials have dismissed accusations of dam collapse as fake news.

However, studies suggest China's aggressive dam-building program in Tibet and downstream regions is increasing ecological fragility and human vulnerability. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change expressed concerns about China's mega dam feasibility and safety. The disaster has reignited concerns over Nepal's vulnerability to glacial lake outburst floods and the lack of a formal cross-border mechanism for sharing real-time information.

Despite Khanal raising the issue during his China visit in May, a formal agreement has not been signed to implement such a mechanism, prompting concern among stakeholders for the absence of an early-warning system in this disaster-prone border region.