Nepal’s Floods: Human-Induced Climate Change Intensifies Rainfall, Study Indicates

The late September floods in Nepal, which caused over 240 deaths, were intensified by human-induced climate change, making rainfall about 10 percent more severe. The World Weather Attribution group highlighted the necessity for Nepal to limit development in flood-prone urban areas to mitigate future risks. The study calls for improved early warning systems and better urban planning to protect vulnerable populations from similar disasters in the future.

The severe floods in Nepal in late September, which resulted in over 240 fatalities, were exacerbated by human-induced climate change, according to a rapid analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA). The analysis revealed that the rainfall during the floods was approximately 10 percent more intense due to climate change. This catastrophic event stemmed from three consecutive days of extreme rainfall beginning September 26, 2023, with weather stations documenting over 320 millimeters of rain on September 28 alone, leading to devastating floods and landslides across central and eastern regions of the country. The study emphasizes the pressing need for Nepal to curtail development in vulnerable, low-lying areas to mitigate the risk of future floods. Rapid urbanization, particularly in Kathmandu, has intensified the impact of such natural disasters. As the largest city in Nepal, Kathmandu’s expansion around the Bagmati River in a bowl-shaped valley has heightened flood risk, resulting in significant loss of life and infrastructure. Researchers advocate for stiffer regulations on construction in flood-prone zones and recommend enhancing early warning systems to better prepare for forthcoming climatic disturbances. The study was conducted by a group of 20 international researchers, who assessed the climatic influences on extreme weather across various regions in Asia, pointing to an alarming trend of increasing vulnerability to torrential rainfall and flooding. Mariam Zachariah from the Imperial College stated, “If the atmosphere wasn’t overloaded with fossil fuel emissions, these floods would have been less intense, less destructive and less deadly.” Similarly, Roshan Jha from the Indian Institute of Technology remarked, “Clearly, climate change is no longer a distant threat in Asia.” The findings of this study accentuate the urgent need for global action to address climate change, particularly as Asia continues to bear the brunt of its consequences.

The recent catastrophic floods in Nepal are a stark reminder of the tangible impacts of climate change on weather patterns. The World Weather Attribution group conducted a study revealing that human activities have intensified rainfall, contributing to unprecedented floods that devastated communities. With the backdrop of rapid urban development in vulnerable areas, the analysis underscores the imperative of integrating climate considerations into urban planning and disaster preparedness. Such events highlight the broader issue of climate change’s role in altering precipitation patterns, leading to more frequent and severe weather extremes, particularly in regions like Asia that are increasingly exposed to such risks.

In conclusion, the floods in Nepal, which resulted in significant loss of life and property, were exacerbated by climate change, underscoring the urgent need for adaptive urban planning and proactive measures to mitigate future risks. The findings shed light on the increasing severity of weather events influenced by human-induced climate change, particularly in vulnerable areas like Kathmandu. Enhancing regulatory frameworks and improving disaster response mechanisms are essential steps for safeguarding communities against the realities of climate-induced extreme weather.

Original Source: www.theweek.in