Increasing risk of cascading hazards in the central Himalayas
Document Type
Article
Date of Original Version
1-1-2022
Abstract
Cascading hazards are becoming more prevalent in the central Himalayas. Primary hazards (e.g., earthquakes, avalanches, and landslides) often trigger secondary hazards (e.g., landslide dam, debris flow, and flooding), compounding the risks to human settlements, infrastructures, and ecosystems. Risk management strategies are commonly tailored to a single hazard, leaving human and natural systems vulnerable to cascading hazards. In this commentary, we characterize diverse natural hazards in the central Himalayas, including their cascading mechanisms and potential impacts. A scientifically sound understanding of the cascading hazards, underlying mechanisms, and appropriate tools to account for the compounding risks are crucial to informing the design of risk management strategies. We also discuss the need for an integrated modeling framework, reliable prediction and early warning system, and sustainable disaster mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Publication Title, e.g., Journal
Natural Hazards
Citation/Publisher Attribution
Sharma, Sanjib, Rocky Talchabhadel, Santosh Nepal, Ganesh R. Ghimire, Biplob Rakhal, Jeeban Panthi, Basanta R. Adhikari, Soni M. Pradhanang, Shreedhar Maskey, and Saurav Kumar. "Increasing risk of cascading hazards in the central Himalayas." Natural Hazards (2022). doi: 10.1007/s11069-022-05462-0.