By P.R. Pradhan
The glacier-rock-mud floods of August 26 were devastating and unimaginable. Yet, they were not entirely unexpected. Various study teams and organizations had warned of the possibility of major avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods in rivers originating in the Himalayas.
Over the years, Nepal has witnessed cloudbursts, landslides and devastating floods in different parts of the country. Unfortunately, we failed to take such warnings seriously. As a result, we have once again witnessed devastating floods that have claimed lives, left thousands of people missing or displaced, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure—including the destruction of dozens of bridges and roads, damage to hydropower projects, and the loss of private property.
We have been unable—or perhaps lacked sufficient resources—to conduct comprehensive studies on the adverse impacts of climate change and global warming. While avalanches and glacial lake outbursts pose serious threats in the Himalayas, we should not overlook another major risk: Nepal lies in an active seismic zone, meaning that a major or minor earthquake can occur at any time.
We cannot prevent natural calamities and disasters, but we can certainly minimize their human and economic costs through preparedness, planning and stronger infrastructure. Japan, for example, experiences both major and minor earthquakes, yet its government and people are well prepared to respond to them. Similarly, Bangladesh faces recurring floods, but the government and communities have developed mechanisms to manage and mitigate their impact.
Nepal, too, must develop a comprehensive disaster-preparedness system capable of responding effectively to earthquakes, glacial floods, landslides and other natural disasters. As a precautionary measure, settlements located along vulnerable riverbanks should be relocated. The practice of encroaching on riverbanks must be strictly prohibited. Likewise, Nepal should reconsider its excessive reliance on run-of-the-river hydropower projects and give greater priority to reservoir-based and multipurpose projects, which can provide both energy security and better water management.
More importantly, the government must allocate adequate resources for scientific research into the causes, patterns and potential impacts of natural calamities. Regular monitoring of glaciers, glacial lakes, rivers, landslide-prone areas and seismic risks should be institutionalized. Early-warning systems must also be strengthened and made accessible to communities living in vulnerable areas.
In the post-disaster rescue and relief operations, we witnessed the outstanding performance of Nepal’s security forces, including the Nepal Army. Their role once again demonstrated the importance of maintaining a capable, permanent and well-equipped national disaster-response mechanism. Whatever political arguments may be made about the size or structure of the Nepal Army, its role during major national emergencies has once again demonstrated its importance to the country.
The recent disasters should also compel us to reconsider the country’s costly political and administrative structure. Nepal has adopted a system that requires the election and maintenance of a very large number of people’s representatives. The financial burden of this structure—including salaries, allowances, facilities and administrative expenses—is substantial. At a time when the country faces serious challenges in financing development and disaster management, we need to examine whether such an expensive political structure is sustainable!
We therefore believe that Nepal should consider a more efficient, sustainable and self-reliant political system. In our view, the institution of monarchy could be restored in place of the costly presidency. The federal structure and the district coordination committee mechanism could also be abolished, while the number of local governments could be reduced to around 350.
Such reforms could substantially reduce non-productive public expenditure and free up resources that could instead be directed toward disaster preparedness, infrastructure resilience, scientific research, early-warning systems and emergency response.
The August 26 disaster should not be treated merely as another tragic episode. It must serve as a wake-up call. Nepal cannot stop nature from unleashing its force, but it can prepare itself to withstand it. The real lesson is that warnings must be taken seriously, scientific knowledge must guide policymaking, vulnerable communities must be protected, and national resources must be used more efficiently. If we fail to learn from this tragedy, the next disaster could be even more devastating.
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