Decade of disasters

Our challenges have grown due to climate change, geological conditions and misguided policies.

Wildfire, landslide and landslide dams, extreme heat and urban flood, water scarcity, earthquake, river flood, cloudburst or short-duration intense rainfall and hurricane—extreme natural hazards in Nepal have become more frequent with increasingly severe repercussions in the past decade. Scientists, researchers and environmental activists keep reminding us that Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries globally. Our challenges have only grown due to climate change, geological conditions and misguided policies. Despite the concerns and constitution guaranteed provisions and tons of academic research and policy and institutional arrangements at all tiers of government, disaster risk management in Nepal is primarily focused on rescue and rehabilitation rather than risk reduction and mitigation.