A flash flood in Nepal on Wednesday was likely caused by a glacier chunk breaking off and temporarily damming a river, leading to a surge of water downstream that killed at least 353 people and left over 1,300 missing. The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 5.2 glacier collapse, causing catastrophic debris flow. Researchers are analyzing satellite and ground-level data to understand the event.
Experts stated it is too early to directly link the disaster to global warming, but noted that rising temperatures increase such risks, particularly in the rapidly warming Himalayan region.
Source: Mongabay