Catastrophic Monsoon

Dixya Poudel

As the heat continues to soar this summer, records have been breaking worldwide when it comes to the rising mercury. Thus, in such searing heat, rainfalls are quite a welcome respite, especially in regions afflicted by record heat waves. Precipitation means the temperature cools down, there is a soothing breeze and the air feels fresh and welcoming. Yet, rainfalls can be torrential as well resulting in natural disasters. As such, while monsoon rain brings with it a break from the heat, it also results in natural calamities. 

Each year in Nepal, monsoon season results in catastrophic natural disasters. Floods inundate the river banks sweeping houses, cattle, and properties while also causing human casualties. Landslides erode lands destroying properties and lives. Highways are obstructed and result in fatal road accidents. And it keeps occurring in the same pattern repeatedly, on the yearly basis. It doesn’t help that nations like Nepal have a topography that makes it prone to natural disasters. Even with new policies each year, the nation keeps losing citizens to such disasters, not to mention causing damage to properties.

It is only aggravated by climate change which has resulted in unpredictable weather. And monsoon is becoming highly erratic each consecutive year with destructive consequences. Even with technological advancement in meteorology, natural disasters sneak up with unpredictable results. While the Nepal government works around the clock for search, rescue, and relief operations in monsoon disasters, hundreds continue to lose their lives. It has thus become important to shake things up and bring in new policies that could lessen natural disasters.

 While it isn’t possible to completely regulate natural disasters as it is beyond the control of humans, it is possible to take preventative and mitigation measures. What could Nepal then do to mitigate yearly monsoon disasters? First of all, there has to be an early warning system that can detect monsoon hazards such as landslides and floods. Paired with communication systems, people can be warned beforehand so that they can successfully evacuate before natural disasters strike. Next, there should be flood control measures such as constructions of embankments, dams, and reservoirs to curb water flow in case of torrential rainfalls. 

To prevent landslides, there can be land-use planning and zoning in regions that are landslide prone such as slopes in hilly regions. Further, infrastructures can be built in such a manner that they don’t pose a threat in case of heavy rainfall. Long term measures could mean better preservation, conservation, and restoration of the natural ecosystem. As such, ecosystems such as forests are vital in reducing both landslides and floods caused by run-offs. Another equally important measure could be public awareness and education campaign. 

In an era of communication technology, the government can reach out to people in disaster prone areas to consult them about evacuation procedures and emergency protocols through various media such as the internet and smartphones. Next, upon advent of natural disasters there has to be an efficient system of search, rescue, and relief protocols. All of these steps could keep the damage to properties to a minimum while also ensuring that lives aren’t lost to natural disasters. And with effective measures, policies and steps to mitigate natural disasters, monsoon season in Nepal won’t have to be a season of despair each year.