The climate crisis is a water crisis

Nepal, Santosh. 2024. The climate crisis is a water crisis: addressing water resilience in the context of climate change will go a long way to mitigate its effects, particularly on the most vulnerable. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

The climate crisis is marked by rapid changes that lead to more severe disasters, often resulting in irreversible impacts. Nepal faces this crisis, evident in rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and fast-melting glaciers. The climate crisis in Nepal is closely tied to an impending water crisis, affecting various sectors and communities across the country.

A 2017 report from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology reveals that Nepal has experienced a maximum temperature increase of 2.2°C over the last four decades, at a rate of 0.56°C per decade. The future appears even bleaker, with a 2019 Ministry of Forests and Environment report predicting an average annual temperature rise of 1.7 to 3.6°C by the end of the century under various scenarios. Average annual precipitation may increase by 11-23%, though pre-monsoon rainfall could decrease. Both reports suggest that extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and dry spells, will likely become more common due to climate change. These changes could significantly impact the hydrological cycle and sectors like water resources, agriculture, energy, forests and biodiversity.