Bhotekoshi flood: What happened in Himalayas and what comes next?

A catastrophic flood surged down Nepal's Bhotekoshi river on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction, killing hundreds, and displacing many more. The disaster, which occurred along the Nepal-China border, also destroyed bridges and other vital infrastructure.

Scientists are actively investigating the precise cause of the sudden and powerful surge of water. Initial theories pointed to a glacial lake outburst or an avalanche. However, evidence now suggests a massive fall of ice and rock may have blocked a river, forming a temporary natural dam. This dam eventually gave way, unleashing the torrent of mud and boulders downstream.

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the area had experienced its worst flood in living memory.

While a magnitude 4.4 earthquake was recorded in Tibet around the time of the event, scientists have not yet established a definitive link between the tremor and the landslide. Journalist Kunda Dixit reported that an avalanche struck the northern face of Langtang Lirung, a 7,245-meter peak. Debris from this avalanche reportedly blocked the Lhende river, creating a temporary lake before its collapse.

This event has highlighted the region's vulnerability to sudden floods. The Bhotekoshi river experienced another surge on July 8 last year, underscoring the ongoing risks in this Himalayan area. The government has confirmed 289 deaths, with hundreds still unaccounted for, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

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We suspect an avalanche on the Nepal side blocked the Lhende river. An earthquake occurred at around the same time, but we do not yet know whether it helped trigger the avalanche.