Nepal and Bihar Flood: A wake-up call for resilient river management
One of the key factors in any river system is to maintain flow connectivity from upstream to downstream
As India and Nepal reel under the devastating floods in Bihar and Nepal's Terai region, experts are calling the disaster a wake-up call for the need to adopt more resilient river management practices
The Koshi river has been a major source of flooding in both Nepal and India for centuries. In 2008, the river breached its embankments, causing widespread devastation in Bihar. The floods affected over 3 million people and caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage.
The current floods are the worst to hit the region in decades. The Koshi river has burst its banks in several places, inundating vast areas of land. The floods have affected over 4 million people and caused widespread damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure.
Experts say that the floods are a result of a combination of factors, including heavy rainfall, the failure of embankments, and the release of water from dams in Nepal. They also say that the floods are a wake-up call for the need to adopt more resilient river management practices.
One of the key factors in any river system is to maintain flow connectivity from upstream to downstream. This means that the river should be able to flow freely without being obstructed by dams or other structures. When the flow of a river is obstructed, it can lead to flooding.
In the case of the Koshi river, the construction of dams in Nepal has reduced the amount of sediment that is carried downstream. This has led to the degradation of the river bed and the weakening of the embankments. As a result, the river is more likely to burst its banks and cause flooding.
Experts say that there are a number of things that can be done to make the Koshi river more resilient to flooding. These include:
- Releasing more water from dams during the dry season to maintain flow connectivity
- Strengthening and raising embankments
- Restoring wetlands and floodplains to provide natural buffers against flooding
- Improving flood warning systems
- Educating communities about flood risks and preparedness
The floods in Bihar and Nepal are a tragic reminder of the importance of resilient river management. By adopting more sustainable practices, we can help to reduce the risk of future disasters.
