Opinion | Nepal’s enfeebled water future
Summary
Nepal faces its fourth consecutive rainless winter with severe impacts on agriculture, water resources, and hydropower. Urgent large-scale adaptation and water management efforts are needed to prevent a national water emergency.
Key Points
- Nepal is experiencing its fourth consecutive winter with below-normal rainfall, threatening water resources and agriculture.
- Reduced snowpack in the Himalayas decreases meltwater that sustains rivers, groundwater, and hydropower, worsening water scarcity.
- Nepal's water crisis parallels Iran’s ongoing water emergency caused by climate change and mismanagement.
- Urgent large-scale water adaptation measures including groundwater recharge and watershed restoration are required to avoid a national crisis.
