Recent devastating floods in Nepal, which destroyed more than 40 bridges and erased miles of roadways, offer a critical warning about the escalating risks posed by climate change in the Himalayas and other vulnerable river valleys globally. The disaster directly affected at least 65,000 people, damaged or destroyed 69 schools, and impacted approximately 19,000 children, according to Save The Children.
The floods submerged critical infrastructure, including hydropower plants essential for Nepal's energy independence and export goals. While poor planning and weak zoning laws contributed to downstream casualties by allowing settlements along riverbanks, the hydropower facilities themselves were vulnerable to the extreme weather. The region's high seismic activity, combined with melting glaciers due to global warming, creates a heightened risk of catastrophic disasters.
This situation is particularly concerning for other river basins in Nepal and neighboring regions. The Arun River basin in eastern Nepal, located downstream from Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain, is home to four major Indian-backed hydropower plants. This area lies downstream from China's Tibetan region, where numerous glacial lakes have expanded, posing a potential bursting risk. The Arun River basin is also situated across the border from India's Sikkim state, where a $1 billion, 1,200-megawatt Teesta III dam was destroyed by a glacial lake outburst in October 2023.
Meltwater from the Himalayas, driven by rising global temperatures, is increasing the volume and instability of glacial lakes. This phenomenon, coupled with the region's geological instability, makes the Himalayas a critical hotspot for disaster risk, with implications extending far beyond Nepal.