Tragedy struck as a massive landslide swept away two buses near Kathmandu, with rescuers retrieving 16 bodies from the mud. The rainstorms responsible were attributed to a low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal, affecting parts of India and Nepal. Climate scientists at ICIMOD highlighted how haphazard development in Nepal increases climate change risks, urging urgent investment in infrastructure like stormwater and sewage systems.
Arun Bhakta Shrestha, an environmental risk official, expressed shock at the scale of flooding in Kathmandu. Poor drainage, unplanned settlements, and construction on floodplains worsened the impact. Although the Koshi river’s level in Nepal’s southeast is decreasing, it had previously reached dangerous heights, threatening floods in India’s Bihar state.
The call for action is clear – authorities must prioritize proper urban planning to mitigate future disasters. As Nepal grapples with the aftermath of the landslides, the need for sustainable development practices to combat climate change has never been more urgent.
Source: Reuters
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