UAlbany Video Interview on Nepal Flooding Draws International Coverage

By Mike Nolan

ALBANY, N.Y. (Sept. 3, 2026) — A massive flash flood tore through northern Nepal last week, killing hundreds after a surge of water swept down the Bhote Koshi River without warning. Chinese authorities reported similar devastation just across the border.

Footage of the flood spread rapidly online, drawing global attention to the disaster and questions about what caused it.

Mathias Vuille, a Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences, studies climate variability and change in mountain regions, including how a warming climate is affecting glaciers and high-altitude water systems.  

He sat down for an interview posted on Campus Insights to explain the climate patterns behind the disaster. Campus Insights Media connects university experts with news outlets, turning research into short explainer videos newsrooms can use for both breaking news and more lighthearted features.  

"The exact trigger in Nepal is still unclear, but earthquakes, permafrost thaw, and glacier instability are the recurring ingredients," Vuille said. "Unfortunately, this is a recurring theme. Last year, an entire village was buried in Blatten, Switzerland. Thankfully, it had been evacuated ahead of time. We've also seen repeated glacial debris flows in the Andes over the years."

The response to Vuille's interview was immediate. Over the weekend, parts of it aired on TV stations across 104 markets and countries, including New York City, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Australia, South Korea and Vietnam.

The interview also reached social media, including this TikTok video from a news outlet in Australia, which has drawn more than 350,000 views. 

Campus Insights Media connects university experts with news outlets, turning research into short explainer videos newsrooms can use for both breaking news and more lighthearted features.  

UAlbany partners with Campus Insights to connect faculty with news producers and journalists. Videos are distributed through the Campus Insights platform, as well as the AP Newsroom, for outlets nationwide to use in their own coverage.

The Office of Communications and Marketing encourages faculty to consider Campus Insights as a way to get their expertise in front of media outlets.  

Faculty interested in learning more or setting up an interview can fill out this form.