Kathmandu, Sept. 19 -- The Nepal government has commissioned a comprehensive scientific investigation into what triggered the devastating August 26 floods in Rasuwa, how the disaster unfolded and whether climate change played a role.

For the investigation, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has formed a seven-member panel of experts in hydrology, glaciology, geology, remote sensing, hydropower infrastructure and disaster risk reduction.

The panel will conduct field studies from the source of the disaster to the affected areas downstream, examining the geological, glacial and hydrological processes involved in the event, the ministry said.

The investigation follows a preliminary assessment that found insufficient sci...