Rescuers in Nepal are working to locate hundreds of people unaccounted for following catastrophic floods that have devastated hydropower projects, highlighting the growing risks to infrastructure in the warming Himalayan region. The disaster has taken an estimated 700 megawatts of power offline, approximately 10% of Nepal's total capacity.
Workers are attempting to clear thick mud and debris from flood-ravaged power stations in central Nepal, including a key node supplying electricity to over 20,000 people. However, the immediate focus on recovery is shifting towards a critical discussion on future construction. Disaster experts are urging Nepalese authorities to reconsider rebuilding efforts in the same vulnerable locations.
“Authorities have to take a hard look in the mirror now and ask how they will be rebuilding in these places. They will also have to take a close look at other projects in Nepal that have not been built yet, whether they’ll be approved after this event,” said Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist at the University of Graz, who is based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Hydropower projects, both operational and under construction, have been severely damaged or destroyed in some of the worst-hit districts. Many workers sought shelter in the tunnels designed to access infrastructure and divert water, but are now trapped. In Nepal and China combined, the floods have resulted in over 900 deaths and left 4,700 people missing.
Beyond the hydropower sector, tens of kilometers of roads, multiple bridges, and essential facilities like schools and hospitals have been destroyed. Ramraj Narasimhan, a senior director with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, emphasized that rebuilding should prioritize the continuity of services rather than aiming for complete indestructibility of every structure. He suggested incorporating redundancy, choosing better construction locations, establishing alternate routes, and implementing backup power and improved early warning systems.
Narasimhan’s organization estimates that Nepal's infrastructure, valued at $124 billion, is exposed to climate-driven disasters, potentially leading to hundreds of millions of dollars in annual losses. A recent report by the coalition indicated that Nepal's average annual losses from various disasters approach $760 million, a sum far exceeding the country's national disaster funds.
Climate scientists point to the Himalayan region as particularly susceptible to increasing global warming, noting it is warming at a faster rate than many other parts of the world. Reports from the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development indicate accelerating glacial ice loss, permafrost degradation, unstable slopes, and erratic rainfall are increasing the likelihood of floods, landslides, and debris flows.
Hydropower is crucial for Nepal's electricity grid, economic growth, and export revenue. Much of the country's potential lies in run-of-river hydropower, which is typically located along steep river corridors. These locations, while offering significant potential, are also prone to rapid hazard cascades.
While smaller floods can sometimes be managed with diversions, extreme events like the recent one can overwhelm physical defenses. In such cases, early warning systems become critical for protecting lives. The flood, detected rapidly at the China-Nepal border, offered little warning time upstream, raising questions about whether downstream warnings could have reached workers sooner.
The disaster is expected to intensify scrutiny over the approval of future projects. Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, called for environmental, social, and disaster-risk assessments to more accurately reflect the specific hazards of each valley, supported by land-use regulations and stronger accountability. Thakkar also suggested that Nepal explore more decentralized solar power as part of its energy mix, noting that poorly planned hydropower projects can amplify downstream damage.