Nepal plans to install a new early warning system along the China border after a glacier flood killed at least 1,200 people, warning that the terrain remains unstable and at risk of further landslides.
Two Nepalese government sources told Reuters that Nepal plans to restore its early warning system for landslides along the China border by installing seismic sensors, surveillance cameras, and satellite communication systems to monitor terrain changes and quickly alert residents.
The first equipment will be installed in Timure, a border community in Nepal’s Rasuwagadhi district, along the same river valley where last week's major disaster occurred after a glacier collapse sent massive mud, water, and rocks rushing down the valley.
The event caused at least 1,200 deaths in Nepal and China combined, with most fatalities in Nepal, while nearly 4,000 people remain missing.
Concerns of repeated landslides as terrain adjusts
One Nepalese government source said the area is still adjusting after the major disaster, making further landslides possible, which has prompted officials to urgently install monitoring and warning systems.
This area is one of Nepal’s most sensitive border zones due to its high mountainous terrain adjoining China’s Tibet region and is closely watched by Nepal, China, and India.
The plan to install the new warning system has not been officially announced by Nepal’s government, and both sources requested anonymity as they were not authorized to share details publicly.
Reports indicate the core of the new system is the VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal), a satellite communication system that will enable monitoring stations to transmit data to control centers even if local mobile networks fail during disasters.
This problem had occurred during the last flood when at least four water level monitoring stations near the China border lost communication due to network outages.
Nepalese government sources said there were previously sensors and monitoring stations, but they were not closely monitored. The old warning system, which sent updates every few minutes, was washed away along with the stations during the flood.
A key issue was that officials were unaware immediately when monitoring stations stopped working, preventing timely assessment and response.
Under initial plans, Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) will install cameras, sensors, and VSAT at one site first, then expand to others. Officials have surveyed the area by helicopter to identify suitable installation locations.
After the disaster, the Chinese government shared satellite images, hydrological data, and early warning information about barrier lakes formed upstream with Nepal.
Although the immediate threat from two barrier lakes at the border formed after the glacier collapse has lessened due to water drainage, officials warn the surrounding terrain remains unstable and requires close monitoring.
The landslide warning system may not provide much preparation time; if another event occurs, officials might have only a few minutes to alert downstream communities before mud, water, and debris flow down.
Though brief, officials believe even a few minutes can be critical for evacuation and reducing fatalities.
Reuters reported that the latest flood struck the border crossing at 08:32, but public warnings were issued only around 09:13, nearly 40 minutes later.
Nepal pushes for real-time data from China
Before the recent disaster, Nepal had requested China for more detailed and real-time data on glacier movement and water levels for months.
Following the event, Nepal plans to strengthen cooperation with China, especially in exchanging data on potential natural disasters along the border and upstream areas.
As the affected area remains fragile, installing the new early warning system is an urgent measure to enhance disaster detection and quickly alert downstream communities of new landslides or floods.
Source:channelnewsasia
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