Nepal’s mountainous terrain is vulnerable to flash floods. Disasters have gotten deadlier in recent years in part because of changing climate patterns. Erratic rainfall, floods, landslides, avalanches and glacial lake outbursts are becoming more serious.

A mountain river flooded by monsoon rains swept away the main bridge connecting Nepal with China on Tuesday, leaving 20 people missing, Nepali authorities said. Rescue efforts were underway and an army helicopter was able to lift people stranded by the flooding.

A sudden catastrophic mudslide and flood struck the Rasuwagadhi border crossing between Tibet and Nepal on Tuesday morning, July 8, causing severe damage. According to reports, at least nine people have been confirmed dead,