Deadly Indian Himalayan flood likely caused by glacier collapse, experts say

This handout photograph released on August 6, 2025 by the Indian Army shows security and relief personnel heaving rocks and removing debris to build a crossing across a stream of dense sludge during a search and rescue operation, a day after a cloudburst caused a massive mudslide and flash floods in India's Uttarakhand state. The Indian army brought in sniffer dogs, drones and heavy earth-moving equipment to search for scores of people missing after the deadly Himalayan flash floods. At least four people were killed and more than 50 are unaccounted for after a wall of muddy water and debris tore down a narrow mountain valley, smashing into the town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state, rescue officials said on August 6, 2025. - Photo: AFP

NEW DELHI: A deadly wall of muddy water that swept away an Indian Himalayan town this week was likely caused by a rapidly melting glacier exacerbated by the rising effects of climate change, experts said on Thursday (Aug 7).

Scores of people are missing after water and debris tore down a narrow mountain valley, smashing into the town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state on Tuesday.