Bhotekoshi-Trishuli Floods Highlight Inadequacies in Traditional Early Warning Systems; Experts Call for New Technological Measures

Author: Sanjay Dhakal
Location: BBC News Nepali
Published on September 8, 2026, 07:15 +0545

Experts have emphasized the need for new technologies and systems after recognizing the inadequacy of traditional early warning mechanisms in providing timely alerts about disasters like floods caused by glacier blockage in Nepal and Tibet border regions. Although some early warnings about the flood on Bhadra 10 in Tibet were received shortly before the event, many people underestimated it as a regular monsoon flood. Bhaskar Khatriwad, Chairperson of the Nepal Geological Society and a resident geologist in the Trishuli corridor, shared his experience of alerting his father to stay safe after learning about the flood. “The community there is familiar with Trishuli floods. Initially, although I urged my father to be careful, many did not take it seriously and people went to watch the flood. Fortunately, there were no adverse incidents, but this taught us the importance of raising community awareness in the future,” he said.

According to Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, the rapid onset of this “Himalayan tsunami” gave people very limited time to escape. Experts suggest that by employing technological support, implementing new types of early warning systems in the future could better protect lives and property. Field glaciologist Dibas Shrestha of Tribhuvan University’s Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology advocates for the use of vibration-measuring technology. “Until now, we’ve relied on traditional flood indicators and monitored river and stream water levels. However, in this instance, we failed to detect changes in water levels. It’s necessary to adopt a new approach,” he stated.

“Sensor systems based on vibration measurement might have been more effective,” Shrestha added, suggesting that in hazard-prone mountainous regions, sensors could detect vibrations to predict geological events. It was a few moments after the Bhotekoshi flood that seismic-like vibrations were detected. “If a strong seismic monitoring network is established, we could detect cracks forming in glaciers and respond to disasters promptly,” he remarked.

Geologist Khatriwad also stressed Nepal’s need for remote monitoring systems. “Current early warning mechanisms have completely failed for these kinds of disasters. We have been forecasting floods by measuring water levels after gauging rainfall amounts, but recent events have alerted us to the need for greater vigilance,” he explained. “Since many communities live in mountainous areas, this needs to become habit. We must not rely solely on traditional observation systems but also incorporate geological studies, remote sensing, camera, and radar technologies for monitoring.”

Experts called for improved information exchange with China, as this flood occurred near the Nepal-China border, necessitating robust cross-border communication and shared alert systems. Vinod Parajuli, Chief of Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, noted that updated information arrived twice daily from China. News about one of the two lakes formed after the Bhadra 10 disaster breaking was received by Nepalese authorities several days later. “The second lake began filling on Saturday evening and started discharging muddy water,” Parajuli reported. Although the risk has since decreased, it has not been fully eliminated. Recently, Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal discussed plans to formalize information exchange with China. “During my visit to China, I discussed with relevant counterparts the necessity of establishing a Nepal-China joint mechanism. Protocols for implementation are under exchange,” he said. “The current system is weak. Even when flood risks were detected, the severity was not fully understood. Studies of changes occurring in the Himalayas underscore the importance of collaboration,” Khanal added.

Experts further emphasized the need not only for technological solutions but also for increasing community awareness through alternative communication methods. Despite official warnings about imminent floods, many remained unaware or failed to respond seriously. “We now must enhance community awareness. If people are informed in advance that such disasters could occur where they live, they will change their behavior,” Geological Society Chair Khatriwad said. “Science must be connected with the community.”