Nepal is investigating the cause of a severe sudden flood in the Bhotekoshi area after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet at 8:37 a.m. local time. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal told parliament on Wednesday that reports of flooding emerged three minutes later, at 8:40 a.m., though he said the apparent timing link requires further verification.

Preliminary analysis by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority found satellite evidence of a glacier and rock collapse about 20 kilometres northeast of the Rasuwagadhi border point. Water carrying debris reportedly entered the Lhende River before flowing through Timure into the Trishuli River. Authorities in both Nepal and China have not confirmed the flood’s cause.

The flooding inundated several border villages, damaged important infrastructure and caused several deaths. Heavy rainfall in the Mansarovar and Ali areas on Tuesday is also being examined as a possible factor. Nepal has issued repeated warnings to residents along the Bhotekoshi, Trishuli and Narayani rivers, urging them to move to safer locations amid fears of further flooding.