Last week, devastating floods in Kathmandu, Nepal, caused by record-breaking rains and landslides, resulted in over 200 deaths and widespread damage to homes. The intense rainfall, the heaviest since 2002, led to the breach of the Bagmati river’s banks, affecting not only Kathmandu but also the tourist destination of Pokhara.
Recovery efforts are underway, with over 4,000 people being rescued by the army using helicopters, ziplines, and rafts. However, damaged infrastructure and blocked roads are hindering rescue operations. The government has been criticized for the delayed emergency response following the disaster.
Experts attribute the severity of the flooding to a combination of climate change, unplanned urban encroachment along the Bagmati river, and haphazard development activities that occurred after a population boom in the early 1990s. Man-made factors, such as poor drainage systems and deforestation, have made the region more vulnerable to flooding.
In the long term, improvements in urban planning, use of porous materials in construction, and infrastructure upgrades are suggested to mitigate future disasters. Additionally, the development of research-based solutions, effective dissemination of warning information, and raising awareness about safety measures during floods are crucial steps to prevent further devastation in Nepal.
The most vulnerable to these disasters are communities living in informal settlements on riverbanks, compounding their loss of belongings, jobs, and access to clean water. With a growing population and increasing frequency of extreme weather events, collaboration between government agencies and research institutions is essential to develop sustainable solutions for Nepal’s flood-related challenges.
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