Atmospheric Pollution and Sudden Floods

When a massive snow and ice avalanche occurs in the Tibetan mountains, the dams of temporary glacial lakes formed below can break. This results in flooding and is considered a severe impact of global warming and climate change.

As the Earth’s average temperature rises, its effects have intensified in the Himalayan region. Increased temperatures cause the frozen old snow layers (permafrost) to melt from inside, weakening them and causing sudden collapses. The melting snow has led to the formation of more temporary glacial lakes at the mountain bases.

When large snow or rock avalanches fall into these lakes, the dams break, unleashing devastating floods downstream known as Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). Black carbon, scientifically referred to as soot, is emitted from old diesel and petrol vehicles and factories and carried by wind to the mountains of Tibet and Nepal, depositing on the snow.

While white snow reflects solar heat, black soot absorbs it intensely, causing the snow to melt internally, weakening it and making the ice masses prone to breaking.

Burning petroleum products releases large amounts of carbon dioxide gas, which thickens the Earth’s atmosphere layer, preventing solar heat from escaping to space and thereby increasing the Earth’s temperature. Most sudden floods in the Bhote Koshi, Tama Koshi, and Arun rivers originate from glacial lakes or ice avalanches in Tibet.

Where once only snow would fall, nowadays rain is also occurring due to climate change. When rain falls on snow, the snow layers thin faster, increasing the likelihood of large ice masses collapsing. Rising temperatures have caused increased snowmelt and glacier weakening. Such climate change effects have caused glaciers to suddenly break, resulting in severe disasters in Nepal.

Although climate change and global warming are subjects of international debate, internal efforts can be made for mitigation and prevention to ensure safety. The use of coal, petroleum, and gas should be gradually reduced while increasing the use of renewable energy.

To promote green energy, hydropower, solar, and wind energy sources should be enhanced along with encouragement for electric vehicles. Nepal’s main source of electricity is hydropower, which is completely green and renewable—a positive aspect.

Forest conservation, planting many trees on barren and hilly slopes, controlling deforestation, and preventing forest fires help absorb carbon dioxide, which aids in cooling the atmosphere.

Instead of burning waste, policies should focus on reducing, reusing, and recycling it. It is also necessary to control methane gas emissions from waste collection centers and livestock since methane is a greenhouse gas more dangerous than carbon dioxide.

Constructing flood, landslide, and earthquake-resistant roads, bridges, and dams can enhance infrastructure and preparedness. With the potential for glacial lake breaches in the mountains increasing, early warning systems are crucial to evacuate residents of lower areas to safer locations.

Main Renewable Energy Sources in Nepal

Hydropower

Electricity is generated by spinning turbines using flowing or falling water. This is the most important and primary energy source for Nepal.

Solar Energy

Sunlight and heat are directly converted into electricity or thermal power through solar panels.

Wind Energy

Electricity is produced by rotating large wind turbines driven by elemental wind movement.

Biomass

Energy is derived by burning or decomposing plants, agricultural waste, and animal manure.

Hydrogen Energy

Water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable energy sources to manufacture fuel, which emits only water vapor when used.