A Viral Video of an Avalanche in Nepal: Understanding the Phenomenon

Nepal is known for its breathtaking mountain ranges and stunning natural beauty. However, with that beauty comes the potential for danger, especially in avalanches. Recently, a viral video claiming to show a rare "cloud avalanche" in Nepal has been making rounds on social media, capturing the attention of millions of viewers worldwide.

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the phenomenon of avalanches in Nepal and examine the facts behind the viral video. Let’s look at the viral video first.

Claim on Social Media

In the past week, a widely shared video claimed to show a rare "cloud avalanche" in Nepal, captured for the first time by humans. The video includes the caption:

"Unseen phenomenon (Cloud Avalanche) in Nepal, on the Eastern Wall of the Everest mountain range. This is the first image recorded by humans, which was recorded by a group of mountaineers completely by chance, and you are one of the first humans out of 8 billion living people on earth to have the chance to see this beautiful and terrifying phenomenon; after passing, a rainbow appears on the river at the close of this spectacular show. A benediction after the storm...Magnificent."

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This video has captured much attention on social media. It has been viewed almost 2 million times, with over 56,000 reactions and nearly 40,000 shares.

Facts Behind the Hype

The truth behind the video slightly differs from the narrative shared on social media. The above avalanche was not a very rare phenomenon. This avalanche that occurred in Kapuche Glacier Lake in Parche in 2021 was one of several avalanches in the decade. A group of mountaineers who were in the area by chance recorded the video when the avalanche occurred. The incident was also reported by The Washington Post here.

Avalanches are not a rare phenomenon in Nepal. According to statistics, avalanches have been occurring in the Himalayan region of Nepal since 1920, with several significant events reported in recent years. While the natural occurrence of avalanches can be beautiful to watch, they can also be dangerous and can cause harm to those who are in the vicinity.

Below are the years with avalanches in the Himalayas, Nepal. Six incidents were reported in the study if we only focus on this decade (from 2013-2020).

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Moreover, we found a more recent avalanche in Nepal, reported by USA Today in October 2022.

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And here is another avalanche in Nepal in 2015.

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These videos show the power and beauty of these natural occurrences. However, it's important to remember that the best way to experience these phenomena is from a safe distance. When visiting mountainous regions like Nepal, awareness of the risks associated with avalanches is necessary. Visitors should take proper precautions and seek advice from experienced guides and mountaineers. Additionally, visitors should stay up-to-date on weather and avalanche forecasts to avoid high-risk areas during periods of increased avalanche danger.

What is a "Cloud Avalanche"?

There is limited information available about cloud avalanches. The term "cloud avalanche" is not widely recognized in the scientific community, and there have been very few reported instances of this type of avalanche. However, we have contacted experts for more clarification about this term and its characteristics. We will continue to monitor the situation and update this document as soon as we receive new information.