Another Wave Of Destruction? Scientists Raise Alarm Over Nepal Flood Risk

Kathmandu: After the disaster in Rasuwa, Nepal, the danger is not over yet. Scientists have warned that the course of the river may still be blocked in the upper part of the Nepal-China border. If the water accumulated there suddenly breaks, there could be a second strong flood below. The International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has said that the entire situation is being monitored and investigation is going on through satellite, earthquake and water data.

Why is there a danger of a second flood?

According to ICIMOD, the flow of the river may have been stopped due to debris, snow or rocks in Lhende Khola above. In such a situation, lake-like water accumulates behind it. If this raw dam breaks, a strong wave of water and debris can reach down to Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. For this reason, the administration has increased the alert.

How much had the water level increased in 30 minutes?

How terrible was the flood of August 26, it can be gauged from the fact that the water level of Trishuli river had increased by 9 metres in just 30 minutes in Galchi. In Malekhu also the water rose by 7 metres in the same half an hour. The water rising so fast means that suddenly a huge amount of water and debris came down from above.

Was the flood caused by an avalanche?

Two things are emerging in the initial investigation. First, an avalanche and large chunks of rock slid into Lhende Khola, causing a sudden surge of river water and a torrent below. Second, the landslide deposited debris in a narrow part of the river and formed a natural dam. Later the same dam broke causing floods in Bhotekoshi and Trishuli. Planet Labs' satellite images have also shown large marks of ice and rock slides near the border.

Was the earthquake the reason?

Earlier it was being said that there was an earthquake of 4.4 magnitude in Tibet, which caused floods. But the American agency USGS has rejected this. USGS says that the movement which seemed like an earthquake was actually due to the collapse of the glacier or mountain slope and debris flow.

Has such a flood happened before?

This is the same basin where there was a serious flood in 2024 also. Rasuwa has always been a sensitive area. That's why scientists are saying that the danger is not over yet.

What is the warning for people?

People living on the banks of Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers have been asked to stay away from the river and move to safe places. Nepal's flood forecasting department said monitoring would continue until the blockage above could be fully investigated.