A collapse of a high-altitude glacier near the Langtang Lirung peak triggered flash floods in Nepal on August 26, resulting in over 1,300 confirmed deaths and thousands missing. An estimated 142 million cubic metres of ice and rocks dislodged, causing a seismic event that led to the formation of natural dams. When these dams broke, they unleashed devastating floods downstream.
The event was not caused by an extreme cloudburst but by a glacier collapse. Researchers link such tragedies in the region to climate change, which is weakening the Himalayas by melting glaciers and corroding moraine slopes. This warming also increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, contributing to flood and landslide catastrophes.
The article suggests that the development mindset, which believes humans can re-engineer nature and control the universe, has contributed to these disasters. It points to reckless development practices, such as hydroelectric projects and tunneling into mountains without proper slope management, as exacerbating the risks posed by climate change in ecologically sensitive areas.
Source: Down To Earth