What triggered the Rasuwa flood? Scientists piece together a complex chain of events
Summary
Scientists say the deadly Rasuwa flash flood was likely triggered by a glacier and rock collapse that blocked the Lhende Khola before bursting downstream into the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli river systems. Researchers are still assessing whether warming conditions contributed to the disaster, which has devastated communities across central Nepal.
Key Points
- The Rasuwa flood appears to have been caused by a glacier and rock collapse that blocked the Lhende Khola and later burst, sending a surge downstream.
- Scientists say the event may have involved an ice avalanche, permafrost movement and a bedrock failure rather than a simple earthquake-triggered dam burst.
- Experts caution that climate change may have increased the background risk, but the specific collapse cannot yet be directly attributed to it.
- Authorities had issued SMS alerts, but the flood moved so quickly that warnings may have reached communities too late to be useful.
