Scientists are piecing together the factors that led to the disaster, which has also exposed gaps in cross-border information sharing on hazards in the rapidly changing Himalayas.

“Before, it used to be around 40 cases a day, but after the protests, it went over 100 — mostly people who had inhaled tear gas and thick smoke from burning buildings [and] seeking emergency care for respiratory complications,” says Dr. Niraj Bam, associate professor and head, Department of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, TUTH.