Hundreds Missing After Deadly Floods and Mudslides Hit Nepal and Tibet

A huge glacier collapsed near the Nepal-China border on Wednesday, sending a powerful rush of water and mud through mountain villages. More than 165 people were killed, and nearly 1,400 others were reported missing across Nepal and Tibet. Rescue teams raced to find survivors buried under thick mud and debris. The disaster struck so fast that many people had no time to escape.

In Nepal, the government's disaster agency said 826 people were missing and at least 165 had died. The hardest-hit areas were two districts called Nuwakot and Rasuwa, located in the mountains north of the capital, Kathmandu. Rescue teams, including soldiers and helicopter crews, worked through the day to reach people who were trapped. The Nepalese army airlifted more than 100 people to safety using helicopters.

In Tibet, which is part of China, officials reported 558 people missing — including 260 foreigners. Chinese state media said at least three people were killed there as well. A mudslide near a border crossing called Gyirong Port left some areas buried under more than five feet of mud. Roads were destroyed and communication lines were cut, making it very hard for rescue teams to reach people in need.

At least 33 Americans were reported among the missing foreign nationals, according to Nepal's Tourism Board. Many of the foreigners were Indian pilgrims traveling to a holy mountain in Tibet called Mount Kailash, which is an important sacred site for Hindus. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was ready to help Nepal with humanitarian aid. The U.S. Embassy also announced a $500,000 grant to Catholic Relief Services to support relief efforts.

Videos shared on social media showed thick, gray floodwater surging through narrow mountain valleys. The water — described as the color of wet cement — tore down bridges, buried cars, and knocked over buildings. In Nuwakot district, photos showed the upper floors of buildings coated in mud. Debris hung from tree branches and power lines, and some survivors were found covered head to toe in mud.

One local resident, Shoyam Rajbhandari, described just how fast the disaster struck. "When I reached Dhunge bazaar, in half an hour, the flood came and damaged all the market," he said. "People were preparing to go to office then. How many people are missing or dead, we don't know." His words showed how little warning people had before the floodwaters arrived.

Scientists first thought an earthquake had caused the disaster, but they later changed their conclusion. The U.S. Geological Survey said the event was actually a magnitude 5.2 glacial collapse — meaning a large chunk of ice and rock broke off a glacier and crashed down the mountain. This sent a massive wave of water and debris rushing downstream into villages below. The collapse was confirmed using data from seismic stations, satellite images, and a type of slow-moving earthquake wave.

Climate researchers in Kathmandu said an avalanche from a glacier most likely triggered the flood. They noted that the water level in the Trishuli River rose by 27 feet in just 30 minutes — a sign of how extreme the flooding was. The Lhende Khola River, which feeds into a larger river system in the region, was hit with its worst flooding on record. Scientists said this same river had flooded once before, just 14 months earlier.

That earlier flood, in August of last year, was also caused by a glacial lake overflowing because of unusually high temperatures. Nine people died in that event, and a bridge connecting Nepal and China was seriously damaged. Experts say these disasters are happening more often because of climate change, which is warming the Himalayan mountains faster than most other places on Earth. Researchers found earlier this year that glaciers in the region are melting twice as fast as they were in the year 2000.

The Himalayan mountain range stretches across several countries in South Asia and is home to some of the world's tallest peaks and largest glaciers. The steep valleys below these mountains are important for travel, farming, and energy production — but they are also very dangerous when floods or landslides strike. As temperatures rise due to human-caused climate change, melting glaciers and extreme monsoon rains are becoming more common and more deadly. Scientists warn that millions of people who depend on Himalayan rivers for water are at growing risk.