Nepal’s flood triggered by rock and ice avalanche, says report

Nepal's latest disaster was triggered by a rock and ice avalanche, according to a recent report. The flash flood, which occurred in Nepal's Gorkha district, was initially mistaken for a landslide but was later determined to be a result of the avalanche, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. This recent incident is reminiscent of the catastrophic flood in August, which was also triggered by a similar collapse in Rasuwa district.

The Gorkha flood left five people missing and destroyed 200 houses and five bridges. The disaster authority emphasized the importance of better monitoring and early warning systems in Nepal's mountainous regions, where sudden collapses can trigger devastating floods as permafrost thaws. The head of the disaster authority, Dharam Raj Uprety, stressed the need for improved monitoring and more effective early warning systems.

Authorities had received some warning of the latest flood, which allowed them to alert communities and minimize casualties. The report also mentioned several smaller landslides that occurred, further contributing to the damage. Scientists have linked the August floods to climate change, with Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah describing the event as a warning to the world about the rising dangers of climate change.