Building boom puts 300,000 people in the path of potential Himalayan disasters

At least 300,000 people in parts of the Himalayan region could now be living in the path of potential disasters, a new study suggests.

In areas particularly threatened by flooding from glacial lakes, development increased even faster, rising by almost 78% over the same period, according to the peer-reviewed study published in Scientific Reports.

The team of scientists behind it said the true number of people under threat could be much higher, as they only analysed a specific territory and not neighbouring areas which face similar risks.

They found significant development in these areas - including an expansion of tourism facilities, infrastructure development and real estate.

It's clear in Pokhara, a major tourism hub at the foot of the Himalayas that's grown significantly in the past 30 years to cater for a massive increase in visitors.

Mayor Dhana Raj Acharya says it's a huge challenge to deal with the risk posed by the Seti Gandaki River, which stems from the Annapurna mountain range and flows right through the city. Many old buildings are just 5m (16ft) from river banks, he says, despite new rules requiring them to be further away.

"Where we move them, and how we do that, is the real challenge."

To the north is the world-renowned Annapurna trekking region that has also seen a major increase in settlements along river banks - some hit by recent floods and landslides.

Kaynak: BBC News World RSS (Açık Basın / Haber Servisi)