Mass construction puts 300,000 people at risk in the Himalayas

A study reveals that over 300,000 people in the Himalayas are at risk of flooding due to increased construction in high-risk areas. The construction in northern Nepal, southeastern Tibet, and Uttarakhand, India, has surged by 45% from 2016 to 2023, with areas near glacial lakes seeing a 78% increase. The research, conducted before devastating floods in August that killed over 1,400 people in Nepal, highlights the growing threat as climate change accelerates glacial melting. Local officials express concerns about inadequate planning for tourism expansion, which has exacerbated risks, particularly in Pokhara, where buildings are dangerously close to the Seti Gandaki river.