The Economic Times

Disaster in Nepal once again intensifies debate regarding risks posed by climate change

Himalayan glaciers are receding due to rising temperatures, leaving unstable debris behind. Shifting precipitation patterns cause rainfall in areas previously receiving snow. Intense rainfall saturates loose debris, triggering landslides and debris flows. Blocked water flow by snow or debris creates temporary dams which then break. These combined factors intensify disaster severity in the geologically active Himalayas.