Central Himalayas Face 80% Flood Intensification by 2100: Study

• Extreme floods in the Central Himalayas could intensify by up to 80% before 2100 due to high greenhouse gas emissions, per a study on Nepal’s Karnali river.
• These severe floods, with a 1% annual chance, may occur every 5-10 years by century-end, impacting densely populated areas in Nepal and India.
• Rainfall runoff, not melting snow or glaciers, is expected to contribute over 90% of the additional flood water.
• Extreme flood intensity is projected to increase by 22-26% (2020-2059) and 73-84% under high emissions (2060-2099).
• Researchers stress the urgent need to cut global greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate increasing flood hazards.

Why It Matters: Rising greenhouse gases will drastically worsen Central Himalayan floods, endangering millions.