What does the future hold? : NPR

Key Points:

• In late August, a massive glacier collapse in Nepal triggered devastating flash floods along the Trishuli River, burying 12 hydropower plants and leaving over 5,000 people missing, including 121 trapped inside the plants.
• The disaster has raised questions about the risks of building numerous hydropower projects in the Himalayas, with critics pointing to inadequate cumulative risk assessments and the impact of construction on the fragile environment.
• The World Bank and Asian Development Bank, major funders of these projects, have faced criticism for flawed or missing climate resilience assessments, though the World Bank stated it will review implications as new information emerges.
• Experts warn that climate change is increasing glacier instability and landslide risks in the region, and that ongoing large-scale hydropower projects in Nepal, China, and India may pose significant future hazards.
• The tragedy has prompted calls for rethinking hydropower development in the Himalayas, advocating for smaller, less disruptive projects to reduce environmental and community risks amid growing geopolitical tensions.