A recent disaster in Nepal has heightened concerns about climate change and its effects on glaciers and flash floods in the Himalayan region. Manish Mehta, a scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology who has studied disasters at Kedarnath, Rishiganga, and Dharali in Uttarakhand, said the changes occurring in the Himalayas cannot be viewed as isolated incidents. According to Mehta, rising temperatures are causing many Himalayan glaciers to steadily recede, a process known as glacial retreat. While an advancing glacier carries rocks, soil, and debris along with it, a retreating glacier leaves behind vast quantities of loose debris. This debris lacks stability and can easily slide downslope during heavy rainfall.