Ice-Rock Avalanche, Not Glacial Lake Outburst, Triggered Nepal Disaster, Scientists Say

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 09:00am on 31 Aug 2026,Monday International

A preliminary report by Nepalese scientists has concluded that last week’s devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche from the Langtang-Lirung peak, not a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF). The avalanche began around 8:37 am on August 26, plunging from about 5,200 metres into the Lhende River and generating a powerful debris flow. Satellite images found no evidence of a glacial lake outburst or major cloudburst. The disaster has killed more than 900 people, while over 3,000, including many Indians, remain missing. Scientists warned similar Himalayan disasters could become more frequent. (PC: HT)

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