Overlooked Hazards

Nepal is at the frontline of geographical and climate change vulnerabilities.  No wonder then that natural hazards like floods and landslides are frequent occurrences here, especially during the monsoon season, as are the chilling impacts of climate change, such as growing heat waves in duration and frequency and the rapid thinning of mountain snow.  As earthquakes, pandemics, and monsoon hazards receive major attention, the dangers that unleash their fury quietly, repeatedly, and often when they are least expected have emerged as the most destructive forces in terms of lives claimed and economic damage caused. That said, the absence of large-scale disasters as major threats should not be the source of complacency, as warned by experts. Staying prepared is the best defence against them.  

Among those falling under the latter category are snakebites, lightning, landslides, wildfires, drought, among others, according to a recent nationwide data made public, and carried by this daily the other day. What is even more unsettling is that these dangers are often overlooked in policy and disaster management. Over the last 12 months, the country recorded a total of 6,739 disaster-related incidents, affecting over 13,500 families and resulting in 497 deaths. While landslides and floods remain significant threats, the most widespread and the deadliest danger comes from a far less talked-about source: snakebites. With a staggering 3,366 recorded incidents, snakebites account for nearly half of all disaster cases and over 100 deaths, the highest among all categories in rural communities, particularly in the Tarai plains. The severity of these incidents highlights an underlying, deeper issue: limited access to timely medical treatment and awareness. 

People's tendency to underestimate snakebites because they happen individually, not as a single large event, may help explain the gravity of one of the country's most serious public health threats. A large population in the Tarai works barefoot in fields, sleeps on the floor, and lives in proximity to snake habitats, all of which make them vulnerable to snakebites. However, through awareness campaigns and easy access to treatment, these cases are largely preventable. Trailing snakebites are landslides, which have claimed 74 lives in 596 incidents over that period. Floods, too, remain a formidable danger, with 46 deaths and hundreds injured. However, it is lightning strikes that have emerged as the leading cause of injury. With 503 people injured across 514 incidents, lightning remains an overlooked but highly dangerous natural hazard. 

What's more, fire incidents have gained prominence for their widespread impact, affecting 3,304 families, second only to snakebites. Although causing relatively fewer deaths, fires frequently destroy homes and livelihoods, leaving long-term economic scars. The good news, however, is that, like snakebite deaths, fire incidents are also entirely preventable. Short circuit is known to be the major cause of an inferno. By enforcing building codes for proper wiring, educating on safe storage of gas cylinders, encouraging the use of fire-resistant construction materials, and planning development that lays out ample space for a fire truck to access the inferno site, among others, the risk of fire can be effectively addressed. At the same time, the continuing deaths and injuries underscore a profound need for disaster management. Traditional approaches, often geared towards emergency response for major events, may need critical analysis. There is a growing recognition that preventive measures, public awareness, rural healthcare access, early warning systems, and local preparedness can together go a long way to keep people safe from harm's way.