EDITORIAL: Real threat
All remedial measures should be taken as soon as possible to avert possible casualties, including the destruction of hydropower plants
There is a serious danger of glacial lake outburst floods in this Himalayan country. The recent mammoth earthquake of April 25 and several aftershocks devastated many districts causing damage not only to life and property but also to many of these glacial lakes. These are perceived to be very dangerous for people residing in settlements downstream and further huge damage is likely, as we have already experienced. The glacial lake outburst occurs as the dirt and rocks accumulate causing moraines of the terminal or lateral types. After studies conducted by teams of scientists these earthquakes and aftershocks are found to have resulted in further adverse impacts on these already deteriorating moraines of Imja, Tsho Rolpa and Thulagi lakes. In fact, the experts are all for classifying them in the dangerous category. This was recommended after a month-long field study conducted by leading scientists from a US university in Colorado. The temblors have caused further destabilizations of these three glaciers.
The people living downstream of these glacial lakes should be warned to take extra precautions. Many people residing are already fearful of the outburst of these three lakes in the near future. The glacial lakes posing threats are Imja in the Mount Everest Region, Tsho Rolpa in Rowaling and Thulagi in the Manaslu region. Of them, experts say that Thulagi is proving to be less of a threat, but all possible measures should be taken to prevent disasters that could reach alarming proportions. The April quake has created large cracks and also boulders that impact the outlet channel further enhancing the likelihood of the glacial lake outbursts.
It is feared that the frequency and the glacial lake outbursts and their magnitude would grow. The people downstream should be warned before it is too late. Such a system is necessary to save life and property. Also, it has been advised to resort to lake risk reduction methods and disaster management planning to avert the threats. It is seen that all the boulders in Tsho Rolpa’s end moraine have been moved. Plenty of new cracks have developed in Imja Lake. All remedial measures should be taken as soon as possible to avert possible casualties, including the destruction of hydropower plants. Experts are of the view that other glacial lakes in the country too should be studied in detail without losing any time given the gravity of the situation. Those surveys ought to be held by using Himalayan-specific methods suited to the country in order to put damage on hold. These could assist immensely, and there is also the necessity to mobilize adequate funds. The post-quake assessments of these three lakes are only the tip of the iceberg. If more lakes were studied we would be able to assess more risks. If we failed to do so then we would be inviting destruction of massive scales. Unless we are able to do so it is possible that the glacial lake outburst floods will get out of control. As such, there should be no room for dilly-dallying.
Riverbank walkway
The Kathmandu Valley is called a city of temples. But most of the ancient cultural and religious sites are in a poor state and they therefore call for urgent attention. In this context, the Teku Dobhan-Kalmochan Ghat, which houses a number of ancient monuments and artifacts, will soon see the construction of a two-kilometre-long walkway along the Bagmati riverbank along with parks, benches and resting places for visitors, restaurants, and information boards. The cobblestone walkway can serve as a meeting point for the residents of Kathmandu
and Lalitpur. After the project is completed, people will also be able to cycle, exercise, rest and meditate in that area.
The construction of the walkway has been delayed by the April 25 major earthquake because attention of the authorities had to be focused on the damage suffered by the heritage site. The total damage is being assessed by the experts and an inventory of all the items is being made. ADB funding for the project is on the cards. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City and the Department of Archaeology will work together to execute the project by providing technical support and supervision of the construction respectively. This project is a good idea and further delay should not be allowed to happen.
