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Glacier shrink threatens more cascades after China-Nepal disaster
A China National Climate Centre deputy director warned glacier stability across the Tibetan Plateau will keep declining, as deaths and missing people from the August 26 glacier collapse rise.
Glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau are likely to become more unstable, increasing the odds of future collapses and cascading disasters, a senior Chinese climate official warned as the death toll from a major landslide and flood continues to climb. In comments reported by SCMP Economy, Gao Rong, deputy director of China’s National Climate Centre, said the glacier area has shrunk by about 24 percent over the past 60 years, with around 7,000 smaller glaciers disappearing completely.
China reported 21 deaths and 541 people missing as of Wednesday following the glacier collapse at Langtang Lirung on the China-Nepal border on August 26. SCMP Economy said Nepal’s death toll rose to 1,114 by Wednesday afternoon, with about 3,900 people still missing.
Beijing said it is stepping up cross-border support, including the arrival in Kathmandu of a second batch of emergency supplies, plus five DNA identification experts, according to the foreign ministry. SCMP Economy also reported that a third shipment and a second expert team were being prepared.
An initial assessment cited by SCMP Economy said the mudslide produced by the glacier collapse traveled 22 km along the valley and reached the Gyirong Port border crossing in about seven minutes, with China clearing roads and sending heavy machinery to aid a deeper search.