Share to ClassroomFalling Glacier Caused Huge Flood in Nepal
A huge flash flood rushed down the border between Nepal and Tibet on Wednesday. At least 356 people died. Nearly 1,400 people are still missing, and most of them are tourists and pilgrims. Nepali police found 353 bodies in Nepal. The other three deaths were in Tibet, Chinese state media said. The water destroyed whole villages in Nepal's Rasuwa district. It also washed away dozens of bridges and about 40 kilometres of road, so rescue work became very hard.
At first, officials said an earthquake caused the flood. But the United States Geological Survey (USGS) later said there was no earthquake. A huge mass of rock and ice broke off a glacier and crashed onto a valley floor. The ice and rock fell into the Lhende River. There they mixed with water and became a fast, heavy flow of mud and stones. Scientists say the mountains are still rising, which makes the glaciers steeper. Warmer weather also melts the ice and frozen soil that hold the mountainsides together.
Downstream, the Trishuli River rose about eight metres in half an hour. Survivors said a wall of water came with almost no warning. The army rescued more than 100 people by helicopter. About 1,200 villagers lost their homes. The missing people came from India, the United States, Britain, Australia and Canada.
