Emergency crews are currently racing against the clock to rescue dozens of trapped construction workers at several damaged hydropower sites. Swollen rivers tore through remote valleys, swept away bridges, destroyed highways, and buried entire villages under tonnes of debris.
Nepal has spent years aggressively building massive hydropower projects along high risk river basins to generate revenue and electricity. But planners build these multi-million dollar projects with minimal flood defenses, questionable environmental checks, and zero safety nets for the workers on the ground.
When the inevitable wall of water comes crashing down the mountain, politicians throw their hands in the air and blame climate change, completely ignoring their own atrocious planning standards.
Predictable Tragedies and Political Inertia
Government ministers issue urgent statements, praise rescue workers on social media, and promise relief funds for displaced families. Then, the moment the mud dries, everyone goes back to business as usual until the next rainy season hits.
It is a terrifyingly predictable cycle. Authorities treat disaster response like a surprise crisis management exercise instead of investing in proper drainage, early warning systems, and decent infrastructure. They leave vulnerable communities and working class labourers to bear the brunt of an entirely predictable natural event.
The monsoons will return next year, and unless politicians stop cutting corners, the outcome will look depressingly identical.
If you appreciate news coverage that holds officials accountable instead of blaming the clouds, pass this article on to someone who needs a reality check.
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