Climate-caused Calamities

If the recent mayhem, caused by the monsoon rain-triggered floods and landslides, gives any message, it is a quote of French novelist Jules Verne that succinctly puts up it: “In presence of Nature's grand convulsions, man is powerless.” Despite big achievements in weather forecasting technology, people have still been the victims of natural calamities of various scales. Today’s people are not like ancient Babylonians, who were compelled to forecast weather on the basis of cloud patterns and their movements. We have now sophisticated technology that facilitates the collection and observation of data that include satellite imagery, radar data and wind profiles, among others. The examination of a large quantity of data helps make accurate weather predictions. But challenges for the countries like ours lie in accessing these technology and conveying the weather warning to the people effectively.

Towards the end of the monsoon, the heavy rainfall lashed the country on September 27, 28 and 29. The meteorologists had issued a warning that there would be heavier-than-usual rainfall and its severe consequences for the people, especially those residing near the banks of rivers or in the foothills especially in the hilly parts of the country. Despite the early information about the heavy downpour, there were huge loss of lives and properties. The extreme rain and increase in intensity was unexpected and this has been attributed to climate change, caused by the global warming. Experts have warned that the coming years will see frequent abnormal climate events that can be tackled only with better disaster preparedness and awareness drive. 

Unexpected calamities not only leave a trail of death and destruction behind them. They also remind us of our helplessness. But our misery largely arises from our failure to learn the lesson of disaster and ignore the law of nature. Most of the human casualties and damage of infrastructures took place in the places where the crusher industries are operating and river banks are encroached upon. According to news report of this daily, the already rain-soaked land suffered shallow landslides mainly in Nakhu, Nallu, Roshi and Panauti. The flooded rivers inundated the houses while changing their courses. Dozers have extracted the stones from the quarry to the extent of rendering the nearby hills and land weak. This is a reason why incessant rains caused landslides sweeping away houses, roads and lands, inflicting unimaginable damage. 

In Roshi River, sediment-laden flood washed away the vital structures. Flood mixed with sediments destroy more than that of normal floods, according to experts. Sediments are generally carried in the areas where the crusher industries are running. This time record-breaking precipitation and high temperatures were observed in September 2024, the highest in four decades. Nepal received 170.1 per cent more rainfall than the average.  In 2022 and 2023, the winter was dry and it is likely that there is a chance of drought in this winter, too. The monsoon roared at a time when it was supposed to gradually withdraw. It is shifting northward and these alterations have occurred due to the impact of climate change. Focus should be on reducing the greenhouse gas emissions through shift to clean energy, climate-friendly farming and eco-friendly infrastructures. It is wise for the people to live in agreement with nature for their sustainable future.