Why We Must Stop Building in Nepal’s Floodplains
Summary
Nepal’s recurring monsoon floods are exposing the dangers of building in floodplains, with the 2026 Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki floods causing major damage to homes, bridges and hydropower projects. The article calls for stricter zoning, higher building floors, river setbacks and flood-risk mapping to reduce future losses.
Key Points
- The 2026 Bhote Koshi, Trishuli and Budhi Gandaki floods caused widespread destruction, damaging thousands of homes, bridges and hydropower projects.
- The article argues that floodplain development should be guided by risk-based zoning, with high-hazard areas kept free of permanent buildings.
- It recommends raising occupied floors above design flood levels, enforcing riverbank setbacks and using flood-risk maps in municipal land-use planning.
- The piece urges Nepal to adapt international flood-resistant building standards to local Himalayan conditions and stop approving construction in repeatedly flooded areas.
