1 hr ago
Nepal Plans New Landslide Warning System Along China Border
Nepal wants to build a new system to warn people about landslides and floods near its border with China.
A recent glacial flood killed at least 1,114 people and left nearly 4,000 missing.
The disaster damaged or swept away monitoring stations.
The new system would use cameras and sensors to watch the mountains.
It would also use a satellite connection so officials can communicate if phone networks stop working.
The first set of equipment is planned for Timure, a border settlement.
Officials are worried that unstable land could cause more landslides.
Warnings might come only a few minutes before another flood, but that time could help people escape.
Nepal plans to rebuild a landslide early-warning system at Timure in Rasuwa district near the China border.
The planned system will use seismic sensors, cameras and a satellite-based VSAT link to maintain communications during network outages.
A glacial flood killed at least 1,114 people in Nepal and China, with nearly 4,000 still missing, according to the report.
Officials say the landscape remains unstable and could trigger additional landslides after the glacial collapse.
Nepal’s previous monitoring stations were swept away or lost connectivity, and an alert was issued 41 minutes after last week’s flood struck.
- Who
- Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority plans to install the system, with Nepali government officials describing the project.
- What
- Nepal plans to rebuild a landslide early-warning system using seismic sensors, cameras and a VSAT satellite link.
- Where
- At Timure in Nepal’s Rasuwa district, along the border with China and the same river corridor affected by the flood.
- When
- The plan was reported one week after a glacial flood killed at least 1,114 people; officials said the equipment would be installed soon.
- Why
- Officials want to monitor unstable terrain, maintain communications during network outages and provide faster warnings to downstream communities.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- At least 1,114 people died in Nepal and China, with the vast majority in Nepal.
- Missing people
- Nearly 4,000 people were still missing, according to the report.
- Initial installation site
- Timure, a border settlement in Nepal’s Rasuwa district.
- Planned equipment
- Seismic sensors, cameras and a Very Small Aperture Terminal satellite system.
- Previous system failure
- At least four gauging stations near the border lost connectivity or were knocked out during the flood.
- Alert delay
- The flood struck at 8:32 a.m., while a public alert was not issued until 9:13 a.m.
- Current lake danger
- Two barrier lakes formed after the glacial collapse have drained, but officials say the terrain remains unstable.
Quotes
An anonymous Nepali government source
Nepali government source discussing continuing hazards after the glacial flood
“The landscape is adjusting after the mega event, so could trigger a few more landslides”
telegraphindia.com
“We had sensors and monitoring stations but they were not being monitored extensively”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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