The devastating flash floods that struck Nepal in August have once again exposed the growing risks posed by extreme and cascading hazards in the Himalayas. What began as a high-mountain ice-rock collapse rapidly evolved into a destructive combination of debris, mud and floodwater, underscoring how hazards originating far upstream can threaten communities and infrastructure many kilometres downstream.
The event has also raised urgent questions about the adequacy of existing early-warning systems, the consequences of unplanned development along vulnerable river corridors, and the need for stronger cross-border cooperation in monitoring and disaster preparedness.