How melting glaciers contributed to the flooding disaster in the Himalayas
The scale of the disaster in the Himalayas is becoming clearer a day after catastrophic flooding tore through parts of Nepal and Tibet. Scientists believe the disaster was likely triggered by the collapse of a glacier, unleashing a torrent of water, mud and debris that swept away entire communities. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Dan Shugar of the waterSHED Lab at the University of Calgary.
A devastating flood has ravaged parts of Nepal and Tibet, leaving at least 390 people dead and over 1,400 still missing. Scientists suspect the disaster was triggered by the collapse of a glacier in the Himalayas, sending a surge of water, mud and debris downstream. Geoff Bennett interviews Dan Shugar of the waterSHED Lab at the University of Calgary, who explains that a massive chunk of glacier ice likely snapped off the mountain some 30 miles north of Kathmandu, unleashing a torrent of water, mud and debris that swept away entire communities and infrastructure.
The flooding has left entire villages buried in mud, with some rooftops submerged. Rescue efforts have been hampered by the treacherous terrain and the sheer scale of the disaster. Nepal's army has airlifted over 100 people to safety, while Chinese authorities vow to send aid to Nepal, which has limited emergency resources.
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