In a devastating turn of events, the Nepalese capital Kathmandu was left in ruins after record-breaking rains caused the Bagmati river to overflow, resulting in severe flooding and landslides. The death toll has risen to over 200, with thousands of homes destroyed and many more displaced. Experts are now grappling with the question of what caused this catastrophic event – was it climate change or unchecked urban development that encroached upon the river’s natural path through the Kathmandu valley?
The intense rainfall that occurred over four days in Kathmandu recorded up to 322.2mm, the heaviest since 2002. Relief efforts are underway with the army rescuing over 4,000 people, but damaged infrastructure has made it challenging to reach all affected areas. Various factors contributed to the severity of the disaster, including unplanned urbanization, deforestation, and outdated drainage systems.
Experts emphasize the need for better urban planning, the use of porous materials in construction, and improved infrastructure to mitigate future disasters. Climate change has made floods in Nepal more frequent and intense in recent years, highlighting the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent similar tragedies. Vulnerable communities, such as those living in informal settlements along riverbanks, suffer the most from these disasters, and efforts should be made to provide them with adequate support and resources.
Moving forward, there is a call for increased collaboration between government agencies and research institutions to develop solutions for water-related issues and to enhance public awareness of safety measures during natural disasters. It is imperative to learn from this catastrophic event and work towards building resilience in the face of future challenges.
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