<p>Rising atmospheric temperatures and unpredictable precipitation patterns are unmistakable indications of climate change, particularly affecting the foothills of the Nepal Himalayas. Pokhara City, a rapidly expanding urban center with a population of 500 thousand residents and a substantial influx of tourists, is situated close to the Greater Himalayas, making both locals and visitors highly vulnerable to environmental threats. This study examined Pokhara City’s susceptibility to risks associated with climate change. It was found that there has been a noticeable increase in daily intense rainfall with totals exceeding 150&#xa0;mm, over the last two decades. Furthermore, it has increased the risk of landslides, flash floods and sinkholes which are all brought on by rainfall and ultimately reduce community resilience. Growing urbanization and marginalized communities moving to high-risk areas have made people more susceptible to hazards. The lack of the application of disaster risk reduction policies and inadequate funding could further obstruct the process of effective disaster governance, which signifies the importance of taking comprehensive and proactive action. Therefore, having sustainable urban planning is crucial to solving these issues, along with increasing community awareness. In the context of growing environmental threats, these actions may eventually protect lives and livelihoods in the Pokhara Valley.</p>

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Rainfall patterns and hazard susceptibility analysis of Pokhara City, Nepal: implication of climate change

  • Shanta Kumari Khatri,
  • Ramesh Hamal,
  • Khagendra Raj Poudel,
  • Krishna Prasad Poudel,
  • Naresh Paudel

摘要

Rising atmospheric temperatures and unpredictable precipitation patterns are unmistakable indications of climate change, particularly affecting the foothills of the Nepal Himalayas. Pokhara City, a rapidly expanding urban center with a population of 500 thousand residents and a substantial influx of tourists, is situated close to the Greater Himalayas, making both locals and visitors highly vulnerable to environmental threats. This study examined Pokhara City’s susceptibility to risks associated with climate change. It was found that there has been a noticeable increase in daily intense rainfall with totals exceeding 150 mm, over the last two decades. Furthermore, it has increased the risk of landslides, flash floods and sinkholes which are all brought on by rainfall and ultimately reduce community resilience. Growing urbanization and marginalized communities moving to high-risk areas have made people more susceptible to hazards. The lack of the application of disaster risk reduction policies and inadequate funding could further obstruct the process of effective disaster governance, which signifies the importance of taking comprehensive and proactive action. Therefore, having sustainable urban planning is crucial to solving these issues, along with increasing community awareness. In the context of growing environmental threats, these actions may eventually protect lives and livelihoods in the Pokhara Valley.