Devastating floodwaters unleashed by a glacier collapse have torn through settlements in Nepal, with new footage capturing the terrifying moments residents fled for their lives. The surge, described by officials as a scene of 'devastation beyond imagination,' has left an estimated 1,924 people missing and claimed at least 579 lives.
The incident occurred in the Rasuwa region on Wednesday, when torrents of water, reported to have surged as high as 650 feet, crashed through villages and tourist areas. Six-minute video clips show locals desperately escaping on foot and in vehicles as the water began its rapid advance. Streets were quickly transformed into raging rivers, carrying debris and sending massive splashes into the air. Survivors were seen seeking refuge in buildings, watching from doorways as the muddy water engulfed their homes.
Among those missing are 33 British nationals. The disaster is considered one of Nepal's worst natural catastrophes in recent memory.
Further panic ensued when a lake dammed by avalanche debris upstream in Tibet burst its banks. This prompted renewed fears for communities already reeling from the initial deluge. Helicopter rescue operations were temporarily halted on Friday morning as locals in the Rasuwa valley sought higher ground. Chinese authorities later deemed the risk manageable, allowing rescue efforts to resume. The lake, situated about six miles from the border crossing of Gyirong port which was also inundated, held approximately two million cubic meters of water and was expected to receive an additional three million cubic meters over the following three days.