Nepal: Expert labels China's construction of Himalayan mega-dams as a looming "water bomb" after flash floods devastate communities, workers & hydropower infrastructure
"Nepal floods raise dam fears: Expert calls China’s Himalayan project a ‘water bomb’", 26 August 2026
A devastating flash flood originating near Tibet swept through central Nepal on Wednesday, killing at least 95 people, leaving hundreds missing and damaging towns, villages, bridges and hydropower projects across several districts…
Brahma Chellaney, Professor Emeritus of Strategic Studies at the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), has warned that China’s construction of a major dam in the Himalayan seismic zone could pose serious risks downstream, including to India’s northeast and Bangladesh…
This will renew global attention on China's folly in persisting with the construction of the world's largest dam in the middle of the Himalayan seismic zone. The project, located next to the Indo-Tibetan border, is a water bomb in the making, which could drown India's northeast and wreak havoc farther downstream in Bangladesh."…
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said the massive flood entered the Trishuli River through the Bhotekoshi in Timure after a rock slide and swelling of the Lhende River near the Nepal-Tibet border.
The Kathmandu Post quoted Rijan Bhakta Kayastha, a professor at Kathmandu University and climate researcher, as saying that an earthquake also occurred on the Tibetan side around the same time.
… At least 133 Indians and 37 NRIs were among nearly 400 people reported missing.
… The Nepal Tourism Board said 341 foreign tourists and pilgrims were missing after the flash floods in Rasuwa. Of them, 133 were Indians and 37 were NRIs. Most of the Indians were travelling for the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra in Tibet.
… The flash floods damaged eight operational hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 354 MW and five projects under construction in Nuwakot and Rasuwa districts, according to the Independent Power Producers' Association Nepal.
Among the major operational projects affected were the 111 MW Rasuwagadhi Hydropower Project, 78 MW Sanjen Khola Hydropower Project and 60 MW Upper Trishuli 3A…