Here is a look at 10 of the deadliest recorded glacier-related flood and debris disasters, ranked by estimated human toll: 👇 1. Yungay, Peru (1970) — ~18,000–25,000 deaths Mag 7.9 quake sheared ice and rock off Huascarán; the resulting high-speed debris avalanche buried Yungay and nearby villages. Deadliest glacier-related event on record (not a lake outburst). 2. Kedarnath, India (2013) — ~5,000–6,000 deaths Heavy monsoon rain and snowmelt overtopped Chorabari Tal; the outburst plus debris flows devastated the pilgrimage town. Compound disaster often counted among the worst GLOFs. 3. Huaraz, Peru (1941) — ~1,800–5,000 deaths Ice/avalanche impact into Lake Palcacocha breached its moraine dam; the flood and mudflow destroyed about one-third of Huaraz. One of the deadliest confirmed GLOFs. 4. Ranrahirca, Peru (1962) — ~4,000 deaths Glacier ice and rock collapsed from Huascarán and became a debris flow that buried Ranrahirca and nearby settlements in minutes. 5. Nepal–Tibet border (2026) — 350+ confirmed, 1,300+ missing (toll still rising) High-altitude glacial collapse sent ice, rock, and debris down the Lhende Khola and Bhote Koshi, wiping out border posts, bridges, and villages. Mechanism similar to Chamoli; final numbers unknown. 6. Chamoli, India (2021) — ~200 deaths Rock-and-ice avalanche off Ronti Peak melted on descent and became a debris flow that destroyed two hydropower projects and trapped workers. 7. Cirenma Co, Tibet/Nepal (1981) — ~200 deaths Ice avalanche into the lake overtopped the moraine dam, releasing ~19 million m³ of water that destroyed settlements and infrastructure downstream. 8. Giétro Glacier, Switzerland (1818) — 34–44 deaths (1595 outburst from same glacier killed ~140) Ice dam failed and released ~20 million m³ of water through the Bagnes Valley. 9. Lugge Tsho, Bhutan (1994) — 21+ deaths Partial moraine-dam breach sent ~18 million m³ of water 90+ km down the Pho Chhu, damaging farmland and Punakha Dzong. 10. Chong Khumdan / Shyok River (1929) — dozens of deaths Ice-dammed lake burst and sent floodwaters hundreds of miles down the Indus basin.