21 TN pilgrims stuck in Nepal floods safe, search on for 36

The Nepal-Tibet border witnessed a deadly landslide and flood, with exact cause still uncertain. However, experts highlight how the region's extreme topography and climate change exacerbate such hazards. Glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF), sudden releases of water from melting glacier-fed lakes, are among the dangers. Nepal's Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal initially blamed an earthquake for the landslide, but the US Geological Survey later determined the seismic energy stemmed from a glacial collapse and debris flow.

Dorothy Heinrich, a researcher at the University of Reading, explained that climate change in the Himalayas leads to more heat waves, glacial retreat, and permafrost reduction, increasing risks of landslides and GLOFs. Attribution studies compare event likelihood in today's climate to the pre-industrial era, but scientists need more data to determine if this specific event was climate change-linked.

A preliminary assessment by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) found no anomalies on the Chinese side of the border. The suspected cause is a rock-ice avalanche in Nepal, blocking the Lhende river and triggering the flood. Hydrologist Hatim Sharif noted the absence of rainfall before the disaster, making traditional flood warning systems ineffective. The only safe response is to climb a hill at least 20 feet (six meters) above the flood zone.

Long-term solutions may include real-time river level gauges that alert authorities, giving residents 20-30 minutes to evacuate. Qianggong Zhang from ICIMOD warned of a potential second flood due to ongoing blockages upstream. Nepal-Tibet flood toll reached 160, with 157 bodies recovered, and hundreds still missing, including foreign tourists.