Catastrophic flash floods across Nepal have left a trail of destruction, triggered by what scientists suspect was a massive high-altitude Himalayan collapse.

Preliminary investigations suggest an enormous ice-and-rock avalanche sheared off a mountain peak, instantly damming and then overwhelming downstream waterways with violent debris flows.

Rescue crews are currently scouring submerged riverbanks for survivors, as geologists warn that climate volatility is making these sudden glacial disasters increasingly frequent and deadly.