Satellite images show destruction from Nepal-Tibet floods - Al Jazeera

**Satellite Images Reveal Widespread Destruction After Nepal‑Tibet Floods**

Satellite imagery released by Al Jazeera shows swathes of the Nepal‑Tibet border region flattened by flash floods that struck the area in early August. The high‑resolution pictures capture river valleys inundated with water, entire villages washed away, and roads reduced to mud‑filled gullies. The images corroborate on‑ground footage aired by NDTV, which showed the Riverside settlement disappearing in seconds as a surge of water roared through the community.

Scientists are still investigating the trigger of the disaster. Preliminary analyses by glaciologists suggest that an ice avalanche or a sudden release of meltwater from a glacial lake—commonly referred to as a glacial lake outburst flood—could have unleashed the torrent that devastated the downstream settlements. The New York Times has reported that such “ice avalanche” events are becoming more frequent in the Himalayas, while The Guardian warns that a warming climate is destabilising mountain glaciers, raising the likelihood of similar catastrophes in the future.

The floods have also created a humanitarian challenge for India. Thirteen citizens from Karnataka, who were traveling in the region, were left stranded after bridges collapsed and communication lines were severed. The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu has coordinated with Nepali authorities to organise rescue convoys and temporary shelters, while the Ministry of External Affairs is monitoring the situation closely. Relief agencies are mobilising food, medical supplies, and reconstruction assistance, emphasizing the need for long‑term disaster‑risk management in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.