The massive flooding in the Indian state of Uttarakhand which has as of this writing claimed the lives of at least 550 people must lay to rest the debate over whether climate change is drastically altering weather patterns in the region, and beyond. The evidence that global climate change is the main culprit behind rising incidents of ‘extreme weather events’ in South Asia has been building up over the years. [break]
The situation is truly alarming. Bangladesh faces extinction with steadily rising sea levels; Pakistan could see its crop output halve in under a decade as droughts are more and more common. Nepal has witnessed its share of such extreme events in recent times, most recently in the Far-West where unusually heavy rainfalls have already claimed 40 lives and damaged property worth millions. Like most other parts of the country, Kathmandu is witnessing possibly its most unpredictable monsoon in decades, as roads are completely waterlogged even after 15 minutes of rain. There is simply no time to ‘wait and watch’ the impact changing climatic conditions have on global weather patterns.
But while developing countries are having a tough time making their case before the developed world, and in controlling their own contributions to climate change without hampering growth, they are also struggling to manage extreme climate events. Looking after the wellbeing of its citizens is harder still if they are in a spot of bother outside the country. Since most Nepalis visiting India don’t have any official travel documents, there could potentially be thousands of Nepalis who are still stranded in Uttarakhand. Since the Nepali government is facing this kind of a problem for the very first time, it can be forgiven for being a little at loss. And it isn’t clear what more it can do except bring back those Nepalis who have already been rescued by relief workers in India. Apparently, around 500 Nepalis have so far been successfully rescued and repatriated.
While the government’s confused response to the events faraway in India is understandable, its bumbling response to the flooding in Nepal’s Far West is harder to grasp. Nepal witnesses such flooding and landslides every monsoon. Thus the reported lack of coordination between the center and local authorities in the most-affected districts like Darchula who are trying help the victims on the ground is inexcusable.
Hundreds of flood victims have been without any food and shelter for days. To their credit, the major political parties have rallied to support flood victims through targeted fund-raising and relief distribution. They have also taken up the matter of the alleged release of water from the Dhauliganga Dam on the Indian side, which is being blamed for flooding in Nepali territories downstream. This issue must be dealt with through proper diplomatic channels so that similar accidents (if it was an accident) can be averted. The government has boosted the Disaster Relief Fund under the PM’s office by Rs 400 million to help with relief and rescue. That is the easy part. The hard bit is to get help to the right people on time. In this, the existing relief apparatus has been found to be woefully wanting.
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