Nepal floods expose Himalayan infrastructure risks, warns geo-scientist
Geo-scientist C.P. Rajendran links Nepal's flash floods to Himalayan infrastructure spree, citing unstable slopes and reduced river efficiency.
The recent flash floods in Nepal have underscored the dangers of an unchecked infrastructure boom across the Himalayas, according to geo-scientist C.P. Rajendran. The adjunct professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bengaluru said the region is already grappling with unstable slopes and diminished river capacity, conditions worsened by development projects that have paid little heed to ecological consequences.
Rajendran's assessment points to a broader pattern of environmental strain across the mountain range. He argued that the cumulative impact of poorly planned construction is reducing the natural resilience of the landscape, making communities more vulnerable to extreme weather events like the ones that struck Nepal.
His remarks serve as a cautionary note for policymakers and planners across South Asia, urging a re-evaluation of infrastructure priorities in ecologically sensitive zones. The warning comes as climate change intensifies rainfall patterns, raising the stakes for sustainable development in the Himalayas.