Shyam Saran writes | From Nepal to Uttarakhand and China, the mountains are warning us

Over the past four decades, the author has traveled extensively through the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, witnessing the degradation of this beautiful yet fragile region. However, the mountains now appear to be sending a clear warning to humanity through escalating natural disasters. Despite numerous alarming signs, greed and avarice have driven people to further harm the environment, triggering catastrophic events like flash floods.

Nepal has recently experienced a devastating glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) that swept through valleys and riverbanks, killing and displacing many people. The disaster was caused by an avalanche triggered by a 4.4 magnitude earthquake, which released a torrent of water and mud downstream. This event is just one of many that have occurred in the Himalayan region, where 48,000 sq km of glaciers and 18,000 sq km in the Karakoram mountains are home to over 5,000 glacial lakes, including 500 considered hazardous.

In India, at least six hydropower projects have been destroyed, resulting in a loss of 405 MW of power capacity, accounting for 12 percent of the national total. Recovery and rehabilitation may take several years, and the impact is likely to extend to neighboring districts in India. The region is also home to a large number of Indian pilgrims, with over 160 missing following the flood.

The author emphasizes the need for a shared early-warning system for the Himalayas and calls for stricter enforcement of regulations limiting construction near riverbanks. Despite the mounting evidence of the risks posed by GLOFs and earthquakes, major hydropower projects continue to be pursued, creating increasing dangers to life and property. The author also highlights the possibility of China constructing the Medog dam on the Brahmaputra river, a project that could pose an even greater threat to India.