Kathmandu, August 27: The recent flooding and devastation in the Bhotekoshi-Rasuwagadhi region have raised serious concerns about climate change, global warming, and the rapidly developing hydroelectric infrastructure in the Himalayan area. Conservationist and river expert Megh Ale has attributed this disaster to a combination of natural events and human activities. He emphasizes the need for Nepal and the entire region to reconsider their development models in light of the increasing risks in the Himalayas.
In an interview regarding the Bhotekoshi-Rasuwagadhi incident, Ale noted that a significant amount of ice and rock fell into the river from Tibet, China, creating a sudden flood-like situation. The event occurred so rapidly that Chinese authorities likely did not have enough time to comprehend and respond adequately. Within hours, substantial infrastructure damage was reported on the Chinese side as well.
Ale explained that the Bhotekoshi River is part of the Trishuli river system, located near Rasuwagadhi along the highway leading to Tibet. The Bhotekoshi eventually merges with streams from the Gosainkunda area, forming the Trishuli river system. Therefore, any major natural event in this region can impact the downstream areas significantly.
Discussing the causes of the sudden flooding, Megh Ale rejected the notion of it being merely a natural disaster. He stated that it could be the combined effect of natural events and human activities. According to him, climate change and global warming have heightened risks in the Himalayan region, with human activities playing a role in these changes.
Ale specifically mentioned the dams and hydroelectric projects being developed along the Trishuli-Bhotekoshi river corridor. He warned that large-scale construction in river valleys could increase the level of damage during natural disasters. He urged that this incident should not be viewed in isolation but rather understood within the broader context of natural and human conditions.
He emphasized the need to investigate why the ice and rock fell from the mountain. Scientists must also examine the type of ice or rock present and whether a glacial lake played a role.
Ale noted that scientists are currently studying the actual causes of the incident. When natural hazards and human interventions coincide, the impact can be exponentially greater. Therefore, understanding disaster risks in the Himalayan region requires more than just studying weather or geographical conditions; it necessitates considering development activities as well.
Referencing several recent incidents in the Himalayan region, including disasters in Uttarakhand, Teesta, and the Seti River area in western Nepal, Ale highlighted these as serious warnings. He argued that these events should not be viewed as isolated incidents but as indicators of a changing environment and increasing risks in the Himalayas.
He stated that it is now time to think about how to mitigate these threats and what changes need to be made to the current concept of development. He described the rivers of the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region as lifelines for millions, asserting that their significance extends beyond electricity generation or economic resources.
Ale cautioned that this mindset could be dangerous. If development harms a nation’s civilization, nature, and culture, how can it be considered true progress? While hydroelectric production may be essential, exploiting every river and potential megawatt is not the right model for development.
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