Climate crisis could be destabilising mountain areas like Nepal, experts warn

Unusual heat this year may have melted ice and thawed bonds that hold glaciers in place – leading to catastrophe

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/aug/27/nepal-flash-flood-live-updates-tibet-border-death-toll-missing-himalayas-floods-flooding-latest-news">Nepal-Tibet flash flood – latest updates

• https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/27/what-caused-the-catastrophic-flash-flood-in-nepal-and-tibet-and-how-does-a-glacier-collapse">What caused the flash flood in Nepal and Tibet?

The devastating flash flood that ripped through the border communities of Nepal and Tibet has heightened fears that the climate crisis is destabilising the geology of mountain and polar regions, threatening millions of people.

Satellite imagery suggests a glacier collapse high in the Himalayas was the primary cause of the deadly torrent of mud, water and ice that tore along the Bhotekoshi River on Wednesday.

It swept away buildings and roads and left at least 360 dead and 1,400 missing.