A landslide and flash flood on the Nepal‑Tibet border killed at least 160 people and left hundreds missing on Wednesday. The event occurred in steep Himalayan terrain where rock‑ice avalanches can block rivers and cause rapid downstream flooding. Initial reports suggested an earthquake triggered the slide, but USGS analysis indicated the seismic energy was generated by the landslide itself. The Kathmandu‑based ICIMOD said a rock‑ice avalanche blocked the Lhende River, causing the flood. Authorities noted no unusual conditions were observed on the Chinese side. Scientists cited a lack of rainfall before the disaster, which hampered flood warning systems. Experts said the high speed of the mud‑water mixture, likened to liquid concrete, made evacuation impossible; survivors were advised to climb at least 6 meters up a hill. Long‑term mitigation could include real‑time river‑level gauges providing 20–30 minutes warning. Researchers also highlighted the risk of secondary floods from the temporary river blockage and noted that glacial lake outburst floods are a recurring hazard in the region, though attribution to climate change awaits formal studies. Scientists will conduct attribution studies to determine whether climate trends such as glacial retreat and increased heatwaves influence the likelihood of similar events in the future.