The United States Geological Survey said the devastating flash floods that followed tremors in Nepal on Wednesday morning were not caused by an earthquake, but by a glacier collapse and debris flow. The event was initially detected as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake at 8:37 a.m. Nepal time, near the Nepal-China border north of Kathmandu. USGS later said no earthquake occurred.

Preliminary Planet Labs satellite-image analysis indicated that an ice and rock landslide in the Lende River, about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwa Gadhi border crossing, triggered the debris-laden flood. The Lende is a tributary of the Bhote Koshi River flowing from China into Nepal. More than 157 people have died, while USGS recorded the landslide's force as equivalent to a magnitude 5.2 earthquake.

Nepal Police recovered 157 bodies as rescue and relief operations continued in Rasuwa and other affected areas. At least 403 tourists, including 341 foreigners, were unaccounted for hours after the disaster. In Tibet's Gyirong area, Chinese state media reported three deaths and 265 missing people. Prime Minister Balendra Shah pledged to deploy all government resources for relief and rescue efforts.