Protecting Floodplains
Summary
Kathmandu Valley faces worsening flood risk as unchecked construction, riverbank encroachment and poor drainage shrink the Bagmati floodplains. Authorities are planning to restore the river corridor and create open public spaces instead of concrete structures.
Key Points
- September 2024 floods exposed major flaws in Kathmandu Valley’s urban design, disaster preparedness and municipal governance.
- Encroachment on riverbanks has narrowed the floodplains of the Bagmati, Bishnumati and Manohara rivers, increasing flood risk.
- The High-Powered Committee for Integrated Development of the Bagmati Civilization is preparing an integrated plan to restore river corridors and protect floodplains.
- The plan includes open spaces and public facilities such as sports grounds, markets, toilets, wastewater treatment plants and waste transfer stations.
