KATHMANDU — A catastrophic glacial collapse along the rugged Nepal-Tibet border triggered violent flash floods, leaving a trail of destruction in downstream mountain communities.

Authorities confirmed multiple fatalities as swollen rivers breached their banks, washing away critical infrastructure. Emergency search-and-rescue teams are racing against the clock to locate 288 missing Indian nationals caught in the sudden deluge.

Scientists warn that rapid climate warming continues to destabilize Himalayan glaciers, significantly heightening the risk of sudden, deadly outburst floods across the region.