Countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region abound with bioeconomy solutions for climate resilience and sustainable development, but these remain restricted to the local level. ICIMOD leveraged the platform of IV Mountain Futures Conference to stimulate regional consensus for knowledge and technology exchange pathways to break the silos and amplify these solutions across the region.
This autumn, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)'s colleagues Bipin Dulal and Sabin Bhattarai travelled to Chengdu, the mountain hub of southwest China, to take part in the two-week iRALL School 2025, an intensive programme centred on field investigation, monitoring and modelling of large landslides.
Moving beyond traditional classroom-based courses, the school immersed participants directly in earthquake-affected mountain landscapes, where they observed firsthand the dynamics of earthquake- induced landslides, river damming and dam-breach driven flash floods. By combining practical field experience with advanced analytical approaches, the programme strengthened ICIMOD’s research capacity to address complex, multi-hazard challenges in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the International Research Association on Large Landslides (iRALL), the programme also fostered international collaboration and nurtured the next generation of researchers dedicated to improving community safety and promoting sustainable mountain development.
For ICIMOD, which has long been working in mountain disaster risk reduction (DRR) and resilience, such training represents a vital opportunity to strengthen regional scientific capacity and foster international collaboration.
Why it matters to the HKH
The HKH is one of the most fragile mountain regions in the world. Because of its unique geology, steep terrain, intense seasonal precipitation, and high seismicity, the region is highly vulnerable to floods (especially flash floods), landslides, droughts, and earthquakes.
Heavy rainfall or seismic activity can trigger large-scale slope failures, while riverbank erosion, unplanned construction, and deforestation further increase vulnerability in the region. For roads, hydropower infrastructure, transboundary rivers, and remote communities in the HKH, a single landslide can alter regional safety in just one hazard event.
For us, the similarity between southwest China and the HKH in topography, climate, and seismic activity makes this an ideal window to understand mountain hazards. The knowledge gained will strengthen early warning, multi-hazard risk assessment, and community resilience in the HKH.
Long-term landslide-driven geomorphic evolution in earthquake-prone zones
Amid the steep, earthquake-prone valleys of Luding and Beichuan in southwest China, ICIMOD's DRR team observed first-hand the sheer scale, intricate complexity, and lasting impacts of landslides triggered by seismic shocks. It was an eye-opening experience that made the risks facing mountain communities in the HKH region all too real.
The team explored sites such as the Jiajun Landslide – formed during the early stage of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) approximately 19,000 years ago – the Mogangling Landslide, which is believed to have been the source of the 1786 landslide dam that caused around 100,000 fatalities, the Tangjiashan Landslide that created a dam, and the Yangjiagou rock avalanche. Each site told a story of how earthquakes, rainfall, and human activity shape the mountains over time. From river-blocking landslides to long-term slope evolution, the lessons were clear: understanding these processes is critical in developing early warning system (EWS) and adopting mitigation measures for protecting communities and infrastructure.
Hands-on training
The training was set in a natural laboratory to study glacial evolution, tectonic movement, geohazards, and ecological processes. We mapped landslides using high-resolution Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and conducted sediment size analysis to understand how mountain river sediments are generated, transported, and accumulated. In addition, we applied advanced geophysical survey techniques – including Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) and ambient noise analysis – Horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio (HVSR), a method used in seismic studies to estimate the natural resonant frequency of the ground which is crucial for understanding site effects in earthquake engineering and HVIP methods –to characterise the internal structure of thick rock avalanche deposits and landslide zones, as well as subsurface geological conditions in landslide-prone areas. These methods provide critical insights into slope stability and aquifer distribution. Seeing these advanced techniques applied in the field made the science tangible and directly support to our studies in understanding the multi-hazard interactions. These advance studies help to establish baseline geomorphological and subsurface conditions and support in identifying changes caused by past disasters. Such studies help to improve our understanding of slope instability and sediment dynamics in the hazard prone landscapes for risk analysis.
Beyond the scientific aspect, the experience highlighted the value of collaboration. There were participants from 14 countries all of them spoke a different language, they were from diverse academic backgrounds, and we had tight schedules. Despite all these challenges we learnt an important lesson: managing mountain hazards requires interdisciplinary thinking, cultural understanding, and teamwork.
“Attending the iRALL School was a valuable experience that complemented ICIMOD’s ongoing work on the development of a Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment (MHRA) framework, specifically focused on understanding cascading interactions between landslides and floods. Field visits to hazard-prone areas in Luding and Beichuan provided first-hand exposure to sites where earthquake-triggered landslides had dammed rivers offering a real-world context to the conceptual processes we have been modelling for the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region. Observing these landscapes and the associated geomorphological evidence helped to understand the importance of complex natural processes such as rock avalanche, damming mechanisms, and downstream sediment dynamics while designing frameworks for landslide-dam-induced floods. A particularly insightful component was learning about the early warning systems developed by the Chinese government in these regions, demonstrating state-of-the-art risk monitoring and emergency management systems that align with the multi-hazard perspective we aim to advance. Beyond technical insights, the iRALL School brought together global experts in landslides, earthquakes, hydrology, and multi-hazard risk assessment, creating a vibrant academic environment for exchanging ideas, exploring innovative methodologies, and initiating future collaborations. This interdisciplinary engagement has inspired new pathways for joint research and strengthened our collective capacity to advance multi-hazard resilience in rapidly changing mountain environments." – Bipin Dulal
“Disasters do not simply end after they occur. Earthquakes immediately destroy infrastructure and trigger landslides, which can dam rivers. When these dams breach, they cause thousands of fatalities. In the long-term, the weakening of geological structures from earthquakes can reactivate landslides, leading to recurring events that continue to affect rivers, communities, and management decisions for years.
Seeing Chinese research teams integrate geology, engineering, remote sensing, and emergency management highlighted practical approaches that the HKH region can adapt. Preserving the evidence of past catastrophes and using natural laboratories to study these events will be key to building sustainable and resilient development.
ICIMOD’s collaboration across the HKH region –including China – offers a powerful opportunity to build safer, stronger, and more resilient mountain communities for generations to come". – Sabin Bhattarai
Conclusion
Applying knowledge in real-world contexts is essential for shaping effective actions. Looking ahead, the insights gained from iRALL School 2025 are already informing ICIMOD’s approach in the HKH.
From advanced monitoring techniques to disaster chain analysis, and from hands-on fieldwork to cross-regional collaboration, this training equipped us with practical, actionable strategies to enhance resilience and safeguard mountain communities. Beyond a purely academic exercise, the experience offered an immersive perspective that integrated science, culture, and real-world challenges, broadening our understanding and strengthening our capacity to address the complex dynamics of mountain hazards across the HKH region.