Nepal’s 200-km trail of destruction
A massive flash flood ripped through Nepal, claiming 469 lives and leaving nearly 1,000 people missing, as it spread 200 kilometers downstream. The disaster unfolded when a 600-meter-wide chunk of a glacier broke off from an altitude of nearly 17,000 feet and plunged into a valley, unleashing torrents of water, mud, and debris. Rescue efforts persist, yet authorities fear that blocked rivers and rising lakes could cause another catastrophic flood.
The flood originated when the glacier section broke free and cascaded downstream within hours, demolishing settlements along the riverbanks. The Lhende Khola, a tributary of the Bhote Koshi river, marks the international border between Nepal and China, and the flood reached Gyirong Port-Rasuwagadhi, the key Nepal-China border crossing. Hydropower projects, roadways, and communication infrastructure were damaged in its wake.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
