Drone Footage Captures Glacier Collapse That Triggered Deadly Nepal Floods

Drone footage has captured the dramatic moment a massive section of glacier ice and bedrock collapsed near the Langtang Lirung peak, an event that preceded devastating flash floods in Nepal and Tibet. The footage, recorded by a Chinese photographer, shows a huge mass breaking away from the mountain slope before clouds of dust and debris rise into the air. The collapse occurred at an elevation near the Langtang Lirung peak, which stands more than 7,200 metres above sea level. The rare footage has drawn attention because it provides a direct visual record of the mountain failure that contributed to the disaster.

The collapsing mass consisted of glacier ice, rocks and other debris that rapidly moved down the steep mountain terrain. After plunging roughly 1,200 metres into the valley, the material contributed to a surge that severely swollen the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. The resulting flash floods caused widespread destruction across affected areas of Nepal and Tibet, damaging infrastructure and leaving communities struggling to assess the full extent of the disaster. Authorities have reported hundreds of deaths, while thousands of people remain missing, particularly in Nepal, as rescue and recovery operations continue in difficult mountainous conditions.

Nepal has described the disaster as an extremely difficult crisis, with authorities facing major challenges in determining the complete loss of lives, property and infrastructure. Prime Minister Balendra Shah said adverse weather, difficult terrain and continuing risks were making assessment and rescue operations more complicated. The scale of destruction has also affected access to several areas, making it difficult for emergency teams to reach affected communities and establish accurate information about missing people. Officials have stressed the importance of coordinated rescue efforts while continuing to monitor dangerous conditions in the affected mountain and river regions.

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The incident has also highlighted growing concerns over similar glacier, rock and ice-related disasters in mountainous regions. In 2021, a major rock-and-ice avalanche from Ronti Peak in Uttarakhand caused extensive destruction, including damage to a hydropower facility, and around 200 people were killed or reported missing. Another major disaster occurred in Sikkim in 2023, when the collapse of a rock mass into South Lhonak Lake triggered a glacial lake outburst flood. The resulting torrent caused severe damage to dams, buildings and bridges downstream.

A similar incident occurred in the Swiss Alps in 2025, when a large quantity of rock and ice fell from the Birch Glacier and buried much of the village of Blatten. These disasters have increased attention on the vulnerability of communities located below unstable glaciers, steep slopes and glacial lakes. Scientists and disaster-management authorities have increasingly focused on monitoring changes in glaciers and mountain slopes, as sudden collapses can generate powerful flows of water, ice, rock and mud that travel rapidly into populated valleys.

The newly surfaced drone footage provides an important visual account of how quickly such a mountain collapse can unfold. While the footage itself captures the physical collapse, determining the precise causes and the relationship between the glacier failure and subsequent flooding requires detailed scientific assessment. The disaster has nevertheless underlined the risks faced by communities in the Himalayas, where difficult terrain and rapidly changing mountain conditions can make early warning and emergency response particularly challenging. Authorities continue to focus on rescue operations, locating missing people and assessing damage as the region deals with the aftermath.

Also Read: Nepal Flood Tragedy: Over 700 Lives Lost While Rescuers Search For 3,000 Missing