Watch: The moment Nepal’s glacier collapsed, triggering deadly floods

Exclusive footage obtained by The New York Times reveals the devastating moment a glacier in Nepal's Langtang Lirung collapsed on August 26, triggering deadly floods that have claimed hundreds of lives. Hikers Ziha Yitie and others on an observation deck in Tibet watched the glacier on Tsangbu Ri through a break in the morning mist.

As they filmed, they heard a series of deep rumbles, initially mistaken for thunder, followed by a loud crack at around 10:50 a.m. local time. The sound echoed like explosives detonating inside the mountains, continuing for several minutes. Dust from the landslide soon obscured their view, resembling a massive mushroom cloud. The group later discovered smaller chunks of ice breaking off the glacier and falling down the mountain's steep face.

Upon retracing their steps, they learned the extent of the disaster, encountering blocked roads and hearing news reports about the ensuing flood. Footage from before and after the collapse shows the significant amount of glacial ice and rock that came down into the valley below. The death toll has risen to 682, with nearly 3,000 people still missing, as rescue teams continue searching through debris and damaged communities.

Nepal's prime minister reported that 4,451 people have been rescued thus far. Humanitarian needs remain dire, with UNICEF warning that thousands of children require urgent assistance, and international aid starting to reach survivors in temporary camps.