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Hundreds evacuated in India’s Himalayan state amid monsoon mayhem
Source: Al Jazeera
Date: 16 Aug 2023
Heavy rains in India’s Himachal Pradesh state have led to flooding and landslides, claiming at least 60 lives, including 11 in a temple collapse. Over 800 people were evacuated as villages became inaccessible due to rising dam reservoir water levels. The disaster, the worst in 50 years, has disrupted transportation, power, and communication networks, leaving thousands stranded. In neighboring Uttarakhand state, heavy rainfall triggered landslides, killing 13 more people. Experts attribute the increasing frequency and severity of such incidents to climate change. The monsoon season, vital for agriculture, also brings destruction each year, with forecasters predicting more heavy rains in the Indian Himalayas.
Sri Lanka to collaborate with JICA to address challenges posed by climate change
Source: Colombo Page
Date: 19 Aug 2023
The Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change, Ruwan Wijewardena, engaged in a productive dialogue with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) regarding Sri Lanka’s climate change challenges. During the meeting in Colombo, Mr. Wijewardena met with JICA Vice President Dr. Megumi Muto and Tetsuya Yamada, Chief Representative of JICA to Sri Lanka. They discussed collaborative efforts to address climate change issues. JICA, known for its sustainable development work, shared experiences from successful climate vulnerability projects. Mr. Wijewardena emphasized the government’s commitment to mitigation and adaptation strategies. The dialogue resulted in a shared understanding of the need for intensified collaboration to build resilience against climate change challenges.
Climate risks in the Himalayas
Source: The Kathmandu Post
Date: 21 Aug 2023
Recent floods in Kagbeni, Mustang, caused by heavy upstream rains, destroyed 30 houses and damaged 20 more. Climate change-induced events like these are increasing in frequency and severity in Nepal’s Himalayan region. Rising temperatures are accelerating glacial melting, lowering snow lines, and heightening flood risks. The International Finance Corporation warns that those threatened by climate-induced river floods in Nepal could increase from 157,000 in 2010 to 350,000 by 2030. Moreover, permafrost thaw, triggered by warming, weakens soil, increasing the hazard of debris flows and rock avalanches, jeopardizing infrastructure. Climate change also threatens Nepal’s hydroelectric development due to landslides and glacial lake outbursts.
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