Nepal has been ravaged by devastating floods, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The death toll has reached 209, and rescue efforts are underway to save those still stranded. The disaster has been exacerbated by unplanned urban development and the worsening effects of climate change. Recent IPCC reports have warned of the increasing frequency and intensity of such extreme weather events, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive climate action. As Nepal grapples with this crisis, the world must take heed of the lessons learned and work towards a more resilient future.
Himalayan Kingdom in Agony
In Nepal, the floods have been severe where whole neighborhoods are submerged in Kathmandu and roads are blocked by landslides. More than 4,000 have already been rescued but the search and rescue teams are still desperately trying to reach those who remain stranded. The 209 body count is a grim testament to the human toll of these national disasters.
This, along with other features of the country’s unplanned urban development, has accentuated the impact of the floods, as noted by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). The disaster has been compounded by the encroachment of informal settlements along the Bagmati River. Nepal just cannot afford to pay this sort of price as the climate crisis worsens — without serious sustainable urban planning, disaster preparedness and mitigation that can reduce the effects of such insane weather events.
Climate Change
This year’s floods in Nepal have been described by experts as the result of climate change. Nepal Climate data: The country is witnessing much higher magnitude and frequency in monsoon rain than in the past. That matches a global pattern of extreme weather driven by human-induced climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concluded.
The monsoon season that usually supports agriculture and food production is now erratic and often violent. The highest monsoon rainfall seen in Nepal in more than two decades exacerbated by heavy downpours this week has already stretched the small Himalayan country’s infrastructure and disaster management systems, underpinning a call for climate adaptation strategies.
A More Resilient Future
As the country recovers from this devastating flood, it is important for them to prepare itself with more adaptive measures in response to climate change. This means investing in better infrastructure, prevention programmes and preventive messaging.
In addition, the world must do more to tackle climate change and limit greenhouse gas emissions through extensive emission reductions measures from regulatory framework on a global wide scale which involves transitioning towards renewable energy sources. And only an immediate, worldwide coalition targeting climate change can help ensure such floods do not become the new normal. Nepal’s experience is a clear wake-up call of the price for inaction and a warning siren to the world’s nations to place highest priority on responding urgently to both climate change adaptation and development promotion. Together we can create a more resilient and sustainable future for all and working together will be key.
