Published: 12:31 AM, 31 August 2026
Disaster in Nepal: How Far Is Bangladesh Prepared?
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
The recent terrible natural disaster in Nepal has deeply shaken the entire South Asia. The impact of this disaster has spread and made the extreme risk more clear before us. This disaster is a big warning for Bangladesh as a neighboring country. Due to our geographical location, it is time to review the entire issue in terms of potential risks and advance preparedness.
On August 26, 2026, a catastrophic natural disaster struck the Nepal-Tibet border region. This sudden disaster occurred due to the collapse of a huge glacier in the high Himalayan mountains. The terrible avalanche of snow, mud and rocks created by this incident engulfed the river valley in an instant. Nature and man-made infrastructure were completely destroyed in the face of this devastation.
As a result of the glacier collapse, the water of the Bhotkoshi and Trishuli rivers rose rapidly and took on a terrifying form. The strong current of the river swept away the villages and infrastructure in the hilly region in the blink of an eye. The intense storm has wreaked havoc in Rasua, Nuwakot and Dhading districts the most. Important mountain passes and land ports connecting the international border have been completely blocked and damaged.
More than 1,400 people have been confirmed dead in this sudden storm so far. Nepal police and rescue agencies are constantly retrieving more bodies from the impassable mud. Due to the inhospitable geographical environment and communication disruption, real news from many remote areas is still not available. The death toll continues to rise, creating a huge humanitarian disaster in the region.
According to official estimates, about 1,500 people are still missing. Apart from local residents, the missing include several hundred foreign tourists and pilgrims. A large number of citizens from India, America and Australia are stranded in the area and missing. Rescue workers are searching day and night for the missing, but the thick layer of mud is hampering their efforts.
The current situation in Nepal is very deplorable and the communication system has completely collapsed. About 19 major bridges and more than 40 kilometers of roads have disappeared into the river. Large areas are without electricity and in darkness due to the damage to hydroelectric plants. Ensuring emergency food, shelter and medical care for the affected people is the biggest challenge now.
The Nepalese army and police are working together to speed up the rescue operation. Military helicopters are being used to rescue people trapped in remote mountainous areas. Neighboring country India has already sent emergency relief supplies and technical teams there. The international community is also preparing special rescue teams to stand by Nepal in this humanitarian crisis. Bangladesh must also move forward with the necessary assistance, including relief supplies, in this great disaster in Nepal.
According to meteorologists, the number of casualties may increase further due to the rubble piled up on the mountain slopes. The hope of rescuing the missing alive is gradually fading as time passes. Considering the condition of entire villages buried under the mud, the death toll may reach an alarming level.
Scientists are blaming climate change as the main cause of this extreme disaster in the Himalayan region. Due to global warming, the glaciers in the mountains are melting rapidly and reaching a very risky state. There is a strong possibility that such sudden landslides will occur more frequently in the future.
There is a strong possibility that the impact of these terrible flash floods and tidal waves in Nepal will directly affect Bangladesh. Due to the geographical environment, the main rivers coming down from the Himalayas flow over Bangladesh via India. The excess water from Nepal's rivers can reach the plains via India and cause severe floods in our northern regions. Such cross-border natural disasters are very dangerous and sensitive for our country.
The sudden increase in water pressure in the basins of the main rivers in the northern region may be one of the main reasons for this crisis. A large amount of mountain sediments and silt soil comes to our plains through international rivers. As a result, the riverbeds are filled and the water holding capacity is severely reduced.
Climate change in the Himalayan region also has a direct adverse effect on the river system of Bangladesh. If a long-term artificial lake is created in the mountains of Nepal, it will be risky for us. If that dam or lake breaks, a vast area of Bangladesh can be flooded in an instant. Our rivers currently have very limited adequate infrastructure to deal with this sudden surge.
If such a situation arises, it can have catastrophic negative consequences for the economy and public life of Bangladesh. Districts known as the country's main grain reservoirs can suddenly be submerged under water. Millions of people can be displaced, homeless and face an extreme food crisis. This can result in a serious humanitarian disaster and the outbreak of various infectious diseases.
Roads, bridges, dams and other important government facilities along the river banks can be destroyed. There can be an extreme risk of collapse of the rural communication system and power supply system. In addition to the agricultural sector, the damage to the fisheries and livestock sectors can devastate our economy.
Due to geographical and structural reasons, Bangladesh's overall risk has increased more than before. We live in a naturally active delta region that is marked as disaster-prone.
Therefore, if we consider the Nepal incident as an isolated disaster, we may have to pay the price. It is important to take appropriate scientific research and strategic planning now to reduce the risk.
Bangladesh must immediately adopt a long-term master plan, learning from this terrible situation in Nepal. It is necessary to identify the risks of climate change in the country and reorganize river management. Modern technology must be used to regularly monitor the movement of international rivers. Advance preparation can reduce the amount of potential damage to the lowest level.
Sustainable embankments must be built to protect the plains from landslides and floods. It is necessary to test the strength of the country's existing embankments and make them higher and stronger. The water holding capacity of the river must be increased through river excavation or dredging. Planned afforestation in coastal and river basins can greatly impede the movement of water.
Our disaster forecasting system must be made more modern and accurate to international standards. We must collect advance weather information through satellite imagery and modern data analysis. The information exchange system with neighboring countries must be made more dynamic.
The number of shelters at the local level can be increased and their facilities modernized. Educational institutions and government buildings in flood-prone areas need to be developed as disaster shelters. Adequate arrangements for clean drinking water, emergency medicines and sanitation must be made in advance. It is desirable to have special protection arrangements for women, children and the disabled.
Trained manpower and modern equipment can be prepared for rapid post-disaster rescue operations. Regular special exercises can be organized for the fire service, armed forces and local volunteers. Speedboats, helicopters and rescue vessels can be arranged to reach remote areas quickly. Adequate dry food and life-saving medicines should be kept in stock for emergencies.
There is a need to strengthen effective diplomatic engagement in river and water resource management at the regional level. The effectiveness of the Joint River Commission with Nepal, India and Bhutan should be further enhanced. A comprehensive regional framework should be formed for water sharing and disaster management of common rivers. Discussions with the international community should be continued to ensure proper utilization of the climate fund.
It is very important to conduct a massive social campaign to increase disaster awareness among the public. Disaster management and self-defense strategies can be included in the school curriculum. The general public should be kept aware and mentally prepared for any situation through regular drills. Only collective awareness and state initiatives can save Bangladesh from all dangers.
Let us prepare our beloved motherland Bangladesh by reciting a few lines in this situation: Landslides have descended in the land of clouds, the chest of the mountains has broken, the happiness of millions of people has been swept away by the river's current. Wake up, Bengal of the plains, build a dam of speed, let the dream of sleep pass in this form of nature. The mountain water is coming, catch it today, if you do not wake up early, the boat will sink tomorrow. Seeing the tears of the Himalayas, wipe away your tears, but be careful, young, old and young people of Bangladesh.
Finally, I would like to say that it is never possible for humans to completely prevent the disasters given by the Creator, but through proper and timely preparation, it is possible to reduce its damage and loss of life and property to a great extent. The ongoing terrible disaster in Nepal is a final warning for Bangladesh and an opportunity to get ourselves together. Only through trust in the Creator, state goodwill, scientific planning and conscious participation of the people will we be able to successfully overcome any disaster.
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain is an essayist.
He can be reached at [email protected]
