Himalayan development boom exposes 300,000 people to disaster risks

Rapid development in parts of the Himalayas is increasing exposure to potentially devastating flooding, with both tourism and local infrastructure expanding in areas already vulnerable to natural disasters, according to new research.

A peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports found that built-up land in high-risk areas of northern Nepal, southeastern Tibet, and India’s Uttarakhand region increased by approximately 45% between 2016 and 2023.

Development in areas particularly exposed to glacial lake flooding rose by almost 78% over the same period, with researchers estimating that at least 300,000 people could now be living in potentially hazardous locations.

The expansion includes hotels, accommodation, roads, and other facilities supporting tourism in the Himalayan region.

In Nepal, the popular tourist destination of Pokhara has experienced substantial development, while settlements along rivers in the Annapurna trekking region have also expanded.

Local tourism operators have reported falling visitor numbers following recent flooding and landslides, with damaged infrastructure affecting communities dependent on trekking tourism. Catastrophic flooding in Nepal in August killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands missing.

Researchers warned that increasing development along river valleys could leave more communities exposed to glacial lake outburst floods and other hazards associated with changing mountain conditions.

The findings underline the importance of assessing destination-specific risks, particularly where damaged roads, communications networks, and remote locations can complicate emergency response and evacuation.

The study’s authors called for stronger planning controls and improved early-warning systems to reduce exposure to future disasters.