What we know about deadly Nepal-Tibet floods

One possibility is that water from rainfall or melting ice may have destabilised the ground or ice, triggering a chain reaction. Climate change is known to be driving faster glacier melt in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, but scientists say it is too soon to pinpoint its role in this specific event. Scientists are now trying to piece together the order of events. They'll be looking at satellite images of exactly where the landslide occurred, whether any glacial lakes suddenly drained, and where the river might have become blocked, as well as data on recent rainfall. A deluge of material careered towards northern Nepalese towns, including areas popular with mountaineering tourists and pilgrims. The border is around 40 miles (64.4km) north of Nepal's capital city Kathmandu. Footage showed a wall of mud and rock sweeping away buildings, roads and vehicles, as people fled the fast-moving wave of material in the Nuwakot region. Severe flooding have been reported along the Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers. Deaths have also been reported in villages on the Tibetan side of the border.