Rasuwa flood shows why Nepal must rethink development in hazard-prone areas

Nepal contributes only about 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the cost of climate-related risk is borne not only through lives lost during We have often heard, and repeatedly experienced, that Nepal is highly susceptible to natural hazards. The reasons are largely clear. Geologically, the Himalaya is a relatively young mountain system, and its mountain-building process remains active. The continuing convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates produces uplift, seismic activity and ongoing changes in the terrain. Steep slopes, fractured and weak rock, intense monsoon rainfall concentrated within a few months, and glacier-fed high-mountain catchments further expose Nepal to earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, rockfalls and debris flows carrying rock, soil, ice and water at high velocity. Within this sensitive geography, roads, hydropower projects, markets, settlements, tourism infrastructure and other investments have expanded rapidly in recent decades. Climate change is adding further uncertainty by altering rainfall, glaciers, snow and hydrological processes across a natural system that is already highly dynamic. Its effects can extend from the high mountains through the middle hills to downstream riverine areas. Nepal contributes only about 0.1 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet the cost of climate-related risk is borne not only through lives lost during disasters but also through its long-term development. A World Bank study estimates that, without adequate action to address climate impacts, Nepal’s economy could be at least 7 percent smaller by 2050.

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Region

Madhesh, Nepal

Published

10 Sep 2026

Languages

English