Putri Anggraini
Nepal is reeling from the devastating impact of flash floods and mudslides that struck the Rasuwa and Nuwakot regions, leaving over 4,700 people unaccounted for and a staggering number of casualties. The disaster has highlighted critical gaps in the country's disaster risk reduction and preparedness, particularly in the face of changing climate realities.
Dikshya Subedi, a climate advocate, shares her firsthand experience of the tragedy, noting that the horror and despair in affected communities are difficult to describe. She points out that while the initial collapse in the high Himalayas could not have been prevented, the scale of the disaster underscores the need for significant investment in early-warning systems for glacial and flood hazards in high-risk mountain corridors.
Subedi emphasizes the importance of mapping and monitoring unstable glaciers, landslide-dammed lakes, and river corridors, as well as restoring damaged sensors and establishing 24/7 real-time communication between mountain monitoring stations and downstream communities. Stronger upstream hazard monitoring, river-corridor planning, and transboundary data-sharing with neighboring countries are also crucial.
Immediate activation of clear evacuation triggers, emergency shelters, and multiple warning channels, including SMS alerts, sirens, and local radio, is vital to ensure that people have sufficient time to move to safety. The author highlights that the warming of the region is destabilizing the cryosphere, including glaciers, glacial lakes, and mountain slopes, leading to an increased risk of such catastrophic events.
Beyond early warning systems, Subedi advocates for climate-resilient infrastructure and locally led adaptation and disaster preparedness. This includes investment in resilient public services, communications systems, livelihood protection, and recovery support for vulnerable downstream communities.
The author asserts that Nepal cannot manage these efforts alone and calls on wealthy nations, which are the largest emitters of greenhouse gases, to provide the necessary financial support for recovery and rebuilding. Climate funds should be delivered immediately and not as future pledges, with direct and timely assistance reaching families and communities affected by the disaster.
Despite contributing less than 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Nepal is among the most climate-vulnerable nations on Earth. Subedi demands climate justice and compensation for the suffering caused by a crisis in which Nepal played almost no role in creating.
She notes that the Nepalese society has mobilized to help fellow citizens struck by the disaster, with young people playing a particularly active role in organizing relief efforts. This mobilization serves as a powerful reminder that young people are not only vulnerable to climate change but are also its first responders and leaders in times of crisis.
The author concludes by urging leaders to involve youth and the most affected, vulnerable communities in decision-making processes. Listening to their voices, Subedi believes, can save us from the next disaster and underscores the importance of climate action that extends beyond mitigation targets and policy conferences.
The tragic flash floods and mudslides in Nepal have underscored the urgency for a comprehensive approach to disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. The international community must step up to support Nepal in its efforts to rebuild and prepare for future challenges.
Comments (0)