Rasuwa flood shows why Nepal must rethink development in hazard-prone areas

We have often heard, and repeatedly experienced, that Nepal is highly susceptible to natural hazards. The reasons are largely clear. Geologically, the Himalaya is a relatively young mountain system, and its mountain-building process remains active. The continuing convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates produces uplift, seismic activity and ongoing changes in the terrain.

Steep slopes, fractured and weak rock, intense monsoon rainfall concentrated within a few months, and glacier-fed high-mountain catchments further expose Nepal to earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, rockfalls and debris flows carrying rock, soil, ice and water at high velocity.