Sakshi Gupta

The deadly floods across Nepal and Tibet were caused not by an earthquake but by a violent glacier collapse and debris flow that temporarily dammed the Lhende River before sending a surge through Nepal’s Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems. At least 768 people were killed and more than 3,000 remained missing, while bridges, roads and hydropower infrastructure were badly damaged. Authorities and experts warned that debris-blocked rivers and rapidly filling lakes on both sides of the Nepal-China border could trigger a second flood, with rainfall potentially worsening the danger. Scientists said unusually warm conditions and reduced snow cover may have contributed to glacier instability, although a direct climate-change link has not yet been established. Experts called for stronger Himalayan monitoring and early-warning systems.

At least 165 people have died and nearly 1,500 people, including hundreds of foreign tourists, remain missing after flash floods struck villages along the Nepal–Tibet border, destroying infrastructure and threatening to raise the death toll. The report surveys major Himalayan disasters since 2014, including deadly floods and landslides in Nepal, India, Tibet and Pakistan, and highlights possible links to climate change, extreme rainfall, glacial lake outbursts and rapid development.

India and Australia are set to meet in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on 19 November. India enter as favourites after winning all nine group matches and defeating New Zealand in the semi-final, while Australia beat South Africa to reach their record eighth final. The pitch is expected to offer batting value, bounce and assistance to new-ball bowlers and spinners, though a used surface could slow and turn later. Forecasts indicate clear, dry weather, temperatures around 33°C at the start and 25°C by evening, with no rain expected.

India faced allegations that its team management and the BCCI influenced a last-minute switch from a fresh pitch to a previously used surface for the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai. Critics argued the slower, grass-shaved pitch could favor India’s spinners and questioned the fairness of changing a World Cup knockout venue without proper notice. The ICC defended the decision, saying pitch rotations are commonly changed late in tournaments, the venue curator recommended the switch, and its independent consultant was informed. India won by 70 runs, with Mohammed Shami taking seven wickets, while supporters of the change argued the surface benefited batters as well as bowlers and was available to both teams equally.

Australia qualified for a record eighth Cricket World Cup final after defeating South Africa, while India reached the final by beating New Zealand by 70 runs. The final between hosts India and five-time champions Australia will be played on Sunday at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium, beginning at 2pm local time, with coverage available through Sky Sports in the UK and Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar in India. The match repeats the 2003 final, which Australia won, while Virat Kohli, Mohammed Shami, David Warner and Adam Zampa lead the tournament’s major batting and bowling statistics.

The 2023 Cricket World Cup final between India and Australia at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is expected to feature a Dua Lipa performance and an aerial display by the Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran team. VIP attendees are expected to include the Indian and Australian prime ministers, former World Cup-winning captains and prominent Indian actors. The BCCI had not confirmed whether the event would constitute an official closing ceremony or how it would be broadcast. India entered the final unbeaten, while Australia had previously won the tournament five times.

Babar Azam stepped down as Pakistan captain across all three formats after the team finished fifth in the 2023 Cricket World Cup group stage and missed the semi-finals. The Pakistan Cricket Board accepted his decision, despite wanting him to remain Test captain, and appointed Shan Masood to lead the Test side and Shaheen Afridi to captain the T20I team; an ODI captain was yet to be named. The PCB also removed the men's coaching staff, including team director Mickey Arthur, and appointed former captain Mohammad Hafeez as director ahead of tours of Australia and New Zealand.

India captain Rohit Sharma broke the record for most sixes in Cricket World Cup history during the semi-final against New Zealand, reaching 51 sixes and surpassing Chris Gayle’s 49. He also holds the international cricket record with 575 sixes and set the ODI calendar-year record with 64 sixes in 2023, overtaking AB de Villiers. Sharma scored 47 from 29 balls in the semi-final, while teammate Virat Kohli continued his prolific tournament with another century.

Shubman Gill retired hurt on 79 during India's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai after suffering cramps in the heat. He had scored 79 off 65 balls, including eight fours and three sixes, before being replaced by Shreyas Iyer. Rohit Sharma made 47 and surpassed Chris Gayle's record for most sixes in the men's Cricket World Cup, while India reached 270 for one after 37 overs with Virat Kohli and Iyer batting.

Glenn Maxwell has been cleared to play for Australia in the Cricket World Cup semi-final against South Africa after precautionary scans related to soreness from his record-breaking double century against Afghanistan. Captain Pat Cummins said Maxwell had recovered sufficiently, praising his match-winning ability and the confidence his performance gave the team. Australia and South Africa both finished the group stage with seven wins and two losses, while South Africa had previously defeated Australia in Lucknow.

If the India–New Zealand semi-final cannot produce a result on the scheduled day or its reserve day, India would advance because it finished higher in the group-stage points table. Under the same circumstances in the Australia–South Africa semi-final, South Africa would qualify, setting up an India–South Africa final.

India finished first in the 2023 Cricket World Cup group stage with 18 points from nine unbeaten matches, four points ahead of South Africa. Australia also earned 14 points but placed third because of a lower net run rate. New Zealand secured the fourth and final semi-final spot by defeating Sri Lanka, while Pakistan and Afghanistan finished fifth and sixth. India faced New Zealand in Mumbai and Australia met South Africa in Kolkata in the semi-finals. England, the defending champions, were eliminated after five straight losses; captain Jos Buttler described the exit as a low point and blamed his poor personal form for contributing to the team's struggles.