Prof. Dr. Meen Bahadur Poudyal Chhetri : IAGR Conference 2024
Prof. Dr. Meen Bahadur Poudyal Chhetri holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Vienna, Austria (1995), and a Post-Doctorate in Disaster Management Policy from Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, Australia (2011). With 35 years of service to the Government of Nepal, he has held various senior-level positions. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the Nepal Center for Disaster Management (NCDM), Advisor of Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet-Nepal), and Chair of The International Emergency Management Society (TIEMS)’s Paper Review Committee. Additionally, he serves as an Adjunct Professor at Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia, and as a Council Member of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE). He has more than 50 research publications in national and international journals and has authored two books.
Title of Talk: Floods and Landslides in Kavre and Kathmandu Valley: Unplanned Urbanization and Climate Risks Unveiled on 28 September 2024
Abstract:
Background: On 28 September 2024, continuous heavy rainfall triggered severe floods and landslides in the Kathmandu Valley and Kavre district of Nepal, resulting in widespread devastation. The disaster affected thousands of households and displaced numerous communities throughout the region. Rivers and streams overflowed, inundating residential areas, agricultural lands, and vital infrastructure. Key road networks were disrupted, cutting off access to several areas, while landslides in hilly terrains exacerbated the damage, burying homes and blocking transportation routes. In this single disaster, 236 people died, 19 are still missing, and 165 were injured. The total loss and damage amounted to 34.59 million dollars.
Root Cause: The rapid urban expansion and poor drainage systems in the Kathmandu Valley contributed to the severity of the flooding. Many parts of the valley, including densely populated areas, faced waterlogging due to inadequate urban planning and encroachment on natural water channels. Landslides in the surrounding hills of Kavre district, triggered by saturated soil, claimed lives and destroyed property. In several areas, emergency services were overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, highlighting gaps in disaster preparedness and response.
Lesson: This event underscored the vulnerability of the Kathmandu Valley to natural disasters, driven by climate change, unplanned urbanization, and environmental degradation. Although the government and local authorities mobilized rescue and relief efforts, the disaster revealed the need for long-term measures to mitigate flood risks, such as improving drainage infrastructure, reforestation, and enforcing stricter building codes in high-risk areas.
Conclusion: The floods and landslides of 28 September 2024 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of proactive disaster risk management and climate adaptation strategies to protect the lives and livelihoods of those living in the Kathmandu Valley. Moving forward, it is critical for all stakeholders to collaborate on sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation to reduce the region’s susceptibility to future disasters.
Key Words: Floods and landslides, Trigger, Unplanned, Environment, Strategy.
