Nepal floods expose risks to hydropower in a warming Himalayas

Nepal experienced devastating floods that swept through the country, affecting hydropower facilities and leaving thousands missing. The floods caused significant damage to over 20,000 people's power supply, reducing Nepal's power capacity by approximately 10%. The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal reported that many workers from several hydropower projects were unaccounted for, many taking shelter in tunnels used for accessing infrastructure and diverting water.

Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist, emphasized the need for rebuilding in a way that considers resilience and continuity of services rather than focusing on making every structure indestructible. He suggested choosing alternative locations, alternate routes, backup power, and improving early warning mechanisms. Ramraj Narasimhan, a senior director, proposed focusing on redundancy in the system, such as improved early warning and financial tools like insurance to accelerate recovery.

Nepal's infrastructure is highly vulnerable to climate-driven disasters, with $124 billion worth of infrastructure exposed to such risks. Climate scientists highlighted that the Himalayan region, which is warming faster than other areas, faces increased risks due to rising global temperatures. Glaciers are losing ice rapidly, permafrost degradation, unstable slopes, glacial lakes, and erratic rainfall are all contributing factors to the growing risks of floods, landslides, and debris flows.

Given that hydropower plays a crucial role in Nepal's electricity grid, economic growth, and export revenue, the disaster has raised concerns about the need for stricter environmental, social, and disaster-risk assessments. Experts argue that future projects should involve decentralized solar power as part of a broader energy mix. The challenge now is balancing the urgency of rebuilding with selecting the right infrastructure for the next flood.