Himalayan hazards are becoming more complex. Our warning systems need to catch up

The exact timeline of the recent Nepal flooding disaster is becoming clearer. At 8:37 am, instruments recorded what was initially interpreted as an earthquake near Nepal’s border with China. Seven minutes later, CCTV recorded the Gyirong Port border post being destroyed by a massive debris flow and flood.

Nepal’s flood authorities learned about the incident at about 9:00 am and sent out an emergency SMS alert at about 9:15 am. But by that time, Nepal was already deep into a major disaster.