Indian Floods: More Rain, Less Snow Are Turning Himalayas Dangerous

"Torrential rains and unabated construction are frequently triggering disasters in India's Himalayan region.

But an unusual increase in rainfall is making the terrain even more dangerous.

Landslides and flash floods have already killed dozens in the area this month, burying homes and buildings. Parts of Nepal and Pakistan have also suffered damage.

A new study has found that mountains across the globe, including the Himalayas, are now seeing more rainfall at elevations where it has mostly snowed in the past.

The change has made the mountains more dangerous, scientists say, as increased temperatures not only bring rain but also accelerate melting of snow and ice. The rainwater also loosens the soil resulting in landslides, rockfalls, floods and debris-flows."

Navin Singh Khadka reports for BBC World Service August 18, 2023.

Source: BBC News, 08/21/2023