Nepal’s Floods Unmask a Hidden Vulnerability: Hydropower in Jeopardy

The recent floods that ravaged Nepal have exposed a sobering reality: the country’s hydropower infrastructure is woefully unprepared for the intensifying impacts of climate change. Thousands remain trapped, and it’s clear that disaster response must prioritize both immediate relief and tackling deeper structural issues that made these communities vulnerable in the first place.

The destruction of hydropower projects in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading districts has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s power grid. With up to 900 workers unaccounted for from a dozen projects, over 10% of the country’s power capacity has been knocked offline. This is not only an economic blow but also a stark reminder of relying on hydropower in a region where climate-driven disasters are becoming increasingly common.

The Himalayan region is warming at an alarming rate, and Nepal is right at its epicenter. Glaciers are melting at an unprecedented pace, while permafrost degradation, unstable slopes, and glacial lakes pose a constant threat of floods, landslides, and debris flows. This perfect storm has left hydropower projects scrambling to adapt, but it’s clear that the industry’s response has been inadequate.

Nepal must take a hard look at how these vulnerabilities can be mitigated in future projects. Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, urges Nepalese authorities to rebuild with redundancy in mind – not just making structures indestructible but also designing them with backup power, alternate routes, and improved early warning systems.

The economic costs of climate inaction are stark: Nepal’s infrastructure is exposed to climate-driven disasters worth over $124 billion, potentially resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses each year. This highlights the need for authorities to invest in disaster-resilient infrastructure.

There are valid arguments for shifting towards decentralized solar power as part of a broader energy mix. Himanshu Thakkar, coordinator of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, advocates for this approach, citing the need for environmental, social, and disaster-risk assessments to reflect the specific landscape and past hazards of each valley.

The aftermath of these floods offers an opportunity for Nepal to rewrite its development playbook. Instead of simply rebuilding what was lost, authorities can opt for a more forward-thinking approach that prioritizes resilience and adaptability in the face of climate change. It’s time to move beyond patchwork fixes and build infrastructure that will withstand tomorrow’s storms.

As Ramraj Narasimhan, a senior director with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, notes: “If it gets damaged, let it get damaged, but can we build in redundancy in the system?” The answer to this question will determine Nepal’s future and set a precedent for how other countries in the region approach their own climate resilience efforts.