Rapid glacier retreat and permafrost degradation in recent years may have contributed to the collapse of rock and ice, while the extreme high speed of rock-ice avalanche induced mass flow makes timely warnings difficult with conventional monitoring systems, Liu told the Global Times on Sunday.

　　Comprehensive monitoring should combine satellite remote sensing with real-time ground observations on the stability of both glacier itself and its surrounding terrain. Currently, the researchers at the institute are analyzing pre-disaster satellite images, weather data, terrain and other ground data to try to identify potential precursory signals before the event, Liu said.

　　In recent years, advances in observation technology and the growing volume of remote-sensing data have improved scientists" understanding of glacier-related hazards, enabling them to better understand trigger mechanisms behind recent rock/ice avalanche and glacial lake outburst flood events.

　　According to Liu, the challenge ahead is that both China and many countries in south Himalayas have very limited ground monitoring in upstream. This kind of transboundary disasters can travel and affect areas along its moving path over very long distances, this time more than 130 kilometers to Nepal downstream, affecting areas in both China and Nepal.