Kathmandu
An analysis has revealed that human-caused climate change made the heavy rains in Nepal more intense, contributing to the devastating floods that occurred in late September, which claimed the lives of over 240 people. According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) report on Thursday, the rainfall was about 10% more intense due to climate change.
The floods followed three days of extreme rainfall, starting September 26, with some areas recording over 320 mm of rain on September 28. These torrential downpours led to widespread flooding and landslides, particularly impacting central and eastern Nepal.
The WWA analysis highlighted the urgent need for Nepal to limit development in low-lying, riverside areas to protect people from future floods. Rapid urban growth in cities like Kathmandu, which is situated around the Bagmati River, has exacerbated the impact of flooding. The study suggests that controlling development in flood-prone areas can help save lives during future disasters.
Researchers also emphasized the importance of improving early warning systems to prevent similar tragedies. The study involved 20 researchers from various institutions, including those in Nepal, India, Sweden, the U.S., and the U.K.
Mariam Zachariah, a researcher at Imperial College London, stated that the floods would have been less severe if fossil fuel emissions hadn’t overloaded the atmosphere. She pointed out that climate change is making Asia increasingly vulnerable to severe weather events, citing similar findings from floods in India, China, and Taiwan this year.
