LESSONS FROM NEPAL FLASH FLOODS

GLACIERS AND FLASH FLOODS 

On 26th August morning 2026 a series of  flash floods hit and terribly destroyed the Gyirong  check post on the China-Nepal border .Due to the impact it struck dozens of settlements along the 72km stretch of the of the Trishul river in Nepal.The perciptating geological event has believed to be the  outcome of  collapse of a enormous glacier slab that caused unprecedented chain reaction which  plunged kilometers below. Resultant flash floods and mud slides thatoccured  around not only  in Nepal but also along China Nepal border connecting Rasuwa district of Nepal and Gyrongo county.Almost the entire market towns like Betrawati,were buried  under debris of thick mud and different 9000types of residuals, submerging buildings up to  upper floors. The crossing between  China and Nepal territory has been very vital in providing bulk of  economic activities ranging from daily traffic related to trade,tourism and pilgrimage activities  of different religious groups comprising of Hindus,  Budhists,Sikhs and Jains.Available  estimates indicated that at least 1287 people were dead and around 5000 people were reportedly missing. Moreover swift rescue operations has been going on a warfooting to trace individuals trapped in debris of different hydel projects in Nepal.Studies on Glacier Lake Otbursts (GLOF) events since 1970 shown that world lost over 9500 gigatonnes of it's glacier mass since 1975.Further many mountain ranges in the Himalayan region like Central Himalya region have reordered at least 20% decline  in glaciers .In fact entire settlements in certain bridges,highways, and hydel power stations were washed  away or buried under meters of mud.Earlier study conducted using EM.DAT showed that changing dynamics of glaciers in the HinduKush Himalayan region for the period (1990-2020). Moreover satellite images taken before the disaster itself indicated movement of rock mass just before it collapsed and triggered  a deadly flash flood .According to geo physicist Manoochehr Shirzaei images before the disaster suggest that a section of  the glacier and the rocks sat on top and were accelerating in the weeks before the collapse. The real occurrence of the disaster might have begun with a  massive  rockslide that dragged part of the glacier downhill,or the glacier might have failed first,causing  rocks to destabilize into a major fall.

 IMPACT 

Researchers observe that unlike traditional Glacial Lake Otbursts floods (GLOFs) where a natural moraine dam breaks, this disaster began with direct ice and rock instability driven by global heating. Secondary lakes formed later as debris blocked river channels as well. Such GLOF risks theatens globally in regions including European Alps,South American Andes and Alaska.In the Himalayas we are more vulnerable to extreme rainfall together with Glacial lakes,unstable slopes,landslides and large sediment loads.At the sametime  expansion of settlements, roads ,hydropower and other hydropower infrastructure is exposing vulnerability of most places. Nepal 's tragedy also indicated causes  for India's vulnerability to Glacial collapse and land fall .In 2026 alone in June 250  people were dead in Himachal Pradesh,and 9000 people were offered shelter,in July 61 people were dead and  around 7lakhs were affected in Assam, In July 26 were  dead and many people were affected in Kerala, In Arunachal Pradesh during June- July 10 were dead and around  9000 were missing. 

According to  scholars While climate change is the primary factor responsible for GLOF  to increasing glacier collapse and land falls the  disasters are further aggravated  by development activities taking place in most fragile and vulnerable landscapes. However following measures are suggested by experts to confront the challenges of glacier collapse and related challenges. They are- 1 To map the Hazard Chain,2 implement fulfleddged  quality warning system, 3.Speedy Evacuations to safer places 4.Sharing data across the borders. 5.Built climate proof infrastructure and attempt adequate measures to check global warming .It has been observed that people talk  a lot about early warning system but in practice affected people are very stubborn against leaving their houses unless they are fully convinced about it, in the meantime precious time/ even life may be wasted.Ironically despite warnings some policy makers in order achieve higher GDP growth and claim better ranking in ease of doing business  the quality of environment is severely breached which may lead to natural calamities and related havoc.