Nepal floods show the risk; China's mega-dam raises bigger questions for India
Recent devastating floods in Nepal have highlighted the risks of building large-scale infrastructure in the geologically fragile Himalayan region. The disaster has prompted concerns regarding China's massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo and its potential downstream impact on India.
Why it matters
The intersection of climate-induced disasters and transboundary infrastructure projects poses significant geopolitical and environmental risks for South Asia.
The rain came down relentlessly, turning quiet mountain streams into raging torrents and narrow roads into muddy rivers. Across Nepal, floodwaters and debris swept through homes, roads and hydropower facilities, leaving behind broken bridges, stranded communities and villages cut off from the outside world.In the mountains, where steep slopes already make life precarious, swollen rivers, landslides and collapsing rock can quickly turn a natural hazard into a cascading disaster.For communities living along narrow Himalayan valleys, a sudden rush of water, ice and debris can leave little time to escape.The recent flash floods in Nepal have brought these vulnerabilities sharply into focus.
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