Weather disasters can cause massive destruction in mountainous regions within hours. The deadly flash floods in Nepal and Tibet have left people shocked, while satellite images are now revealing how the disaster unfolded and spread. Read on to learn more.
Satellite Images Reveal What Caused Nepal & Tibet Floods
In a preliminary analysis, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has revealed that a major glacier collapse. As per WION, this collapse is what triggered the deadly flash floods in Tibet and Nepal on August 26. The analysis showed that nearly two-thirds of the glacier broke away and collapsed.
The collapsed glacier sent a massive amount of ice and debris rushing downhill and downstream. This caused the ice to melt quickly, leading to severe flooding in nearby areas. ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) found Rasuwa, Rasuwagadhi, Timure and the Trishuli River system among the worst-affected areas.
Also Read: How Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Will Be Impacted By Nepal Floods &; What Pilgrims Should Know
Images Used To Understand What Happened
NRSC’s Disaster Management Support Group used satellite images to piece together what happened. It studied images from ISRO’s Resourcesat-2A, NASA’s LANDSAT-9 and the European Space Agency’s SENTINEL-2.
WION reported, for a closer look, the team compared SENTINEL-2 images from August 24, two days before the disaster, with those from August 26. This helped pinpoint where the glacier broke and collapsed, while also showing the ice-rock avalanche and massive debris flow along the Trishuli River system.
ISRO also compared Resourcesat-2A images from April 4, 2026, with LANDSAT-9 images from August 26. The comparison showed a major rise in the Bhote Koshi River and widespread flooding across Nepal’s Rasuwa district.
The floods that began in Tibet swept through central Nepal, leaving a trail of destruction behind. Several towns and villages were badly hit, while bridges and buildings were washed away by the powerful floodwaters.
We hope situation gets under control soon!
Also Read: Nepal Floods: 2 Indian Regions Under Flood Alert; NDRF Teams On Standby For Emergencies
Cover Image Courtesy: X/ @SaffronSunita & Website/ NRSC
FAQs
What caused flood in Nepal and Tibet?
A major glacier collapse sent ice and debris rushing downhill, triggering the deadly floods in Nepal and Tibet.