Himalayan terrain and climate shifts heighten Nepal landslide peril, experts say

A catastrophic landslide and flash flood along the Nepal-Tibet border killed at least 160 people and left hundreds missing, with mud and debris sweeping through buildings and vehicles. Experts note that the region's extreme topography can turn a blocked river into a sudden torrent, and while climate change links are not yet confirmed, documented trends in the Himalayas are raising the likelihood of such hazards. The US Geological Survey revised its initial earthquake assessment, indicating that seismic energy was generated by the landslide itself rather than a quake.