Glacier Collapse Triggered Nepal’s Deadly Flood, Scientists Confirm

A sudden glacial collapse, not heavy rainfall, caused the flash flood that swept through Nepal’s Melamchi valley last week, killing at least 17 people. New satellite data and field reports show that a massive block of ice broke off a high-altitude glacier, sending a wave of water and debris downstream. The flood destroyed bridges, homes, and a major highway, leaving hundreds stranded. Officials initially blamed monsoon rains, but geologists now say the ice avalanche was the primary trigger. The event highlights a growing risk: as global temperatures rise, unstable glaciers in the Himalayas are becoming more likely to collapse without warning. Experts are calling for better monitoring systems in vulnerable mountain valleys to prevent future disasters.