Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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Satellite imagery suggests a massive ice chunk breaking off a high-altitude glacier may have set off a chain reaction that unleashed torrents of water to flood areas of northern Nepal and southern Tibet on Wednesday.

“That sudden slippage released the equivalent amount of energy as detonating 950 tons of TNT explosive,” Matthew Cappucci of My Radar explained to PBS News.

The avalanche-like phenomenon — which did not appear to be linked to seismic activity — likely caused water from a glacial lake to surge into multiple river valleys in the region.

At least 160 people were killed in the subsequent flash floods and landslides in the area.  Hundreds more are reported missing.

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