Disasters in Nepal and Himalayan Risks Serve as a Warning for India
Severe floods in Nepal and climate changes in the Himalayan region highlight risks in shared river basins for India, particularly in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
The death toll exceeding one thousand in devastating floods along the Nepal-Tibet border has once again heightened the importance of transboundary river systems and shared risks. Experts emphasize that the severity of floods in India is closely linked not only to rainfall in Nepal but also to local conditions and infrastructure.
River Systems and Shared Basins
There are thousands of streams originating in Nepal that flow into India and the Ganges River. Major river systems such as the Kosi, Gandaki, and Karnali, along with smaller rivers originating from the Siwalik and Chure regions, form a vast basin shared by both countries.
India's Most Affected States
Bihar stands out as one of the states most vulnerable to flood risk. The risks carried by rivers like the Kosi and Gandaki are not limited to Bihar alone, but also affect regions such as Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and North Bengal.
Factors Determining Flood Severity
The severity of floods in India is determined by a series of interconnected chain factors, including the amount of rainfall in Nepal, sediment carried by the rivers, and embankments, dams, and drainage conditions on the Indian side.
Structural Issues and Past Disasters
The disaster that occurred on the Kosi River in 2008 demonstrated that the problem stemmed from the collapse of unmaintained embankments rather than an excess of water. Experts evaluate this situation as a structural failure rather than a hydrological one.
Early Warning Systems and Data Sharing
Although data flow is maintained between the two countries, the insufficiency of monitoring stations on fast-flowing Chure rivers and the lack of a joint forecasting model limit early warning capacity.
Climate Change and Future Risks
The Himalayas warming faster than the global average, melting glaciers, and extreme rainfall lead to an increase in mud-and-rock floods, the silting up of riverbeds, and the growth of risks on both sides of the border.