Glacier collapse in Nepal-China region leaves over 3,000 missing

More than 3,000 residents are reported missing after a massive glacier collapse triggered a torrent of ice, rock and water that swept through villages in the central Himalayas on Tuesday. The disaster, which struck the remote district of Lahaul in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, destroyed homes, roads and bridges, cutting off access to the affected area and prompting the deployment of the National Disaster Response Force, the Indian Army and local rescue teams. Initial assessments by the state government estimate that the flood has inundated an area of roughly 12 square kilometres, leaving dozens injured and a growing number of families searching for loved ones.

Authorities have established temporary shelters for survivors and are conducting aerial and ground searches using helicopters, drones and canine units. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an alert for further glacial activity in the region, while the Ministry of Environment is ordering an urgent review of glacier monitoring protocols. Relief efforts are being coordinated with neighboring states and international aid agencies, with the aim of providing medical assistance, clean water and food to the displaced population. The situation remains fluid as rescue operations continue and officials work to determine the full scale of the tragedy.