What experts know so far about Nepal's deadly floods

Experts are studying the recent deadly floods in Nepal and Tibet to determine the exact cause. A massive chunk of ice from a glacier collapsed and fell thousands of meters down a river, unleashing a devastating flood that killed at least 180 people. The glacier collapse registered as a magnitude 5.2 seismic event, initially mistaken for an earthquake, but later identified as a glacial collapse by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The exact amount of ice that fell is still being estimated, ranging from half a million cubic meters to tens of millions of cubic meters. Satellite imagery and on-ground measurements are being used to reconstruct the disaster, as the affected area is largely inaccessible. Early speculation suggested a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF), but further analysis determined that the volume of water released was likely due to the falling glacier ice dislodging water and debris behind it.

Experts emphasize that while individual glacial events cannot be directly attributed to climate change, the overall warming of the planet is increasing risks for such disasters. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigating the risk, while immediate mitigation strategies for those living near glaciers include seeking higher ground.