Nepal Floods Unlikely to Affect Bangladesh: Dr. Ainun Nishat

Bangladesh is unlikely to face any major or immediate flooding from the recent disasters in Nepal, prominent climate and water expert Dr. Ainun Nishat has said. Speaking to Inqilab, Dr. Nishat said there is no reason for people in Bangladesh to panic over the floods and mountain-related disasters in Nepal. He explained that water from Nepal flows downstream through India’s Ganges basin, so the floods there are unlikely to cause sudden major flooding in Bangladesh.

However, he said the water level in the Ganges-Padma basin could rise slightly because of the interconnected river systems. Recent reports have raised concerns about a newly formed artificial lake in the Himalayan region overflowing after a flash flood caused by a glacier collapse. The lake is located about 2,950 metres above sea level. Nepalese authorities have also issued warnings for residents in vulnerable border areas following reports of a dam breach in Tibet.

Dr. Nishat said the rapid melting of Himalayan ice due to global warming and climate change is a serious warning for the region and the world. “However, the rapid melting of ice in the Himalayan region due to global warming and climate change is a very warning sign not only for this region but also for the whole world,” he said. He stressed the need to rethink the use of fossil fuels to reduce the risks of future disasters.

The Himalayas are known as the “water tower of Asia.” Scientists have warned that continued warming could accelerate the melting of glaciers and permafrost, a permanently frozen layer of soil, rock and organic matter. The melting of permafrost can weaken the natural stability of glaciers and mountain slopes, increasing the risks of landslides, flash floods and other disasters. Experts therefore say that monitoring glacial lakes alone is not enough; emerging risks linked to permafrost loss and unstable mountain slopes also require close attention.