Nepal‑Tibet disaster linked to climate change—a glaciologist explains

Nothing but mud and silt, the village swept away by deadly floods in Nepal. Over a week after catastrophic flash floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border, more than 1,000 people have died and nearly 4,000 remain missing, according to Nepal's disaster agency. The floods, triggered by a glacial collapse, unleashed a torrent of ice, rock and meltwater that devastated entire communities, leaving behind scenes of utter ruin. The BBC visited the district of Betrawati in Nepal, where survivors began returning to their homes to assess the damage. Among them was a local who is still awaiting the retrieval of his wife’s body, as rescue efforts continue. The scale of the destruction is staggering, with entire villages reduced to nothing but mud and silt. A British man, Pramod Poudel, 34, who is originally from Nepal, has flown to the disaster zone in search of his wife, Sumitra, 25, who has been unaccounted for since last Wednesday. He last spoke to her at 4.15pm UK time, when she told him, “I love you so much.” Their conversation ended abruptly, and he has not been able to reach her since. His wife, along with his mother, brother and uncle, are among those missing. Pramod, who lives in Uckfield, East Sussex, has traveled to Nepal despite the destruction of a key bridge leading to his village. He said, “It's a very, very difficult time for me and for my family and my country at this moment, but obviously I have to go and see what's happening there.” Nepal's Foreign Ministry reported that 590 foreign nationals from 39 countries remain missing, with 36 Brits among them. Another 15 are reported missing in neighboring Tibet, raising the total to 48. The British government has responded by sending a rapid deployment team to assist British nationals and their families. This team, composed of specially trained crisis response staff, will work alongside the British embassy and local authorities to support those affected. Meanwhile, a British priest, Nabhi Nandan Das, 65, from Surrey, vanished during the floods while leading a spiritual tour to Mount Kailash. His family has expressed no intention of giving up hope, describing him as a beloved and selfless individual. They have been in constant contact with authorities, checking hospital, rescue and border police records, and speaking with witnesses and local contacts. The family has also launched a GoFundMe appeal to aid ongoing search efforts, with over £10,000 already pledged. A British man was rescued alive nearly a week after the floods, joining 118 Nepalese individuals who were pulled from mud and debris during search and rescue operations. The rescue included 44 women and 74 men, along with the British survivor. The Nepali Army stated that 119 people, including the British national, were rescued on Tuesday. Rescue teams continue to search for those still missing, particularly those trapped in hydropower tunnels. The floods have severely impacted Nepal's hydropower infrastructure, damaging 12 plants in the Trishuli River basin and reducing power generation capacity by over 10%. With almost 100% of Nepal's electricity sourced from hydropower, the disruption has raised concerns about the sustainability of this reliance. Scientists warn that the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers due to global warming poses long-term risks to the country's energy security. Authorities have confirmed that the floods were caused by a glacial collapse, not a hoax. False claims suggesting the event was fabricated have been debunked using verified footage, satellite imagery and scientific analysis. The death toll has exceeded 1,000, with over 4,000 people still missing. The disaster has also highlighted the vulnerability of communities living in flood-prone areas, especially those dependent on hydropower. As rescue efforts continue, the focus shifts toward rebuilding and implementing policies that address the growing risks posed by climate change. Experts suggest a reassessment of Nepal's hydropower strategy, advocating for diversification into solar and wind energy to enhance resilience against future disasters. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and sustainable development strategies in the region.