Almost 300,000 people now live in flood‑prone areas in the Nepalese Himalayas—new research

What happened

Almost 300,000 people now live in flood‑prone areas in the Nepalese Himalayas—new research, according to Phys.org. 26, a rock and ice avalanche triggered a huge flood that swept through a steep valley in Nepal, leaving thousands dead and missing. It was an extreme example of a growing problem across the Himalayas.

As glaciers melt, glacial lakes expand and mountain permafrost thaws, the risks from floods, landslides and other high-mountain hazards are increasing. At the same time, more people and infrastructure are moving into the valleys where these hazards are most likely to strike.