Thousands at risk after multi-million dollar Everest flood warning system left to rust

Nepalese officials have acknowledged to the BBC that an early flood warning system, established to safeguard the lives of thousands in the Everest region, has deteriorated significantly due to neglect.

This revelation arose after members of local Sherpa communities informed the BBC that inspections of the UN-supported initiative had not occurred for several years, particularly since the potentially hazardous Imja glacial lake was last drained in 2016.

In the years following, maintenance efforts ceased entirely, leaving siren towers to succumb to rust, with reports of battery thefts from some units, according to local accounts.

Moreover, the reliability of the satellite data reception, which transmits the water levels of the lake for mobile phone alerts to residents, has also diminished, as indicated by officials from Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM).

The Imja lake, located at an altitude exceeding 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), has remained stable since its drainage a decade ago when it measured nearly 150 meters deep at certain points.

During that intervention, the depth of the lake was reduced by approximately 3.5 meters as part of a $3.5 million risk reduction initiative that included the installation of the early warning system.

However, scientists are increasingly concerned about the rapid melting of glaciers, driven by global warming, which poses a risk of dangerous expansion in many Himalayan glacial lakes. Should these lakes breach their confines, they could potentially devastate downstream communities, trekking paths, and infrastructure.

A recent assessment by the Kathmandu-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development revealed that ice loss rates in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region have doubled since 2000.

Experts caution that rising temperatures have also destabilized mountain structures, leading to rockfalls and glacial collapses, which can precipitate disastrous floods.

In the Everest region, there have been at least five incidents of flooding originating from glacial lakes over the past fifty years, intensifying concerns among residents living in proximity to Imja lake.

"We do not expect to receive any warnings from the siren towers, even if Imja lake were to burst," stated Ang Nuru Sherpa, chairman of the Chaurikharka buffer zone area adjacent to Sagarmatha National Park. "The siren tower in our village is rusting, leaning dangerously, and is set to collapse due to the lack of maintenance."

"When the system was inaugurated, we were assured that officials from the DHM would conduct annual inspections. However, the reality is that no one visits our area," remarked Jangbu Sherpa from Chhukung, the first village at risk should Lake Imja overflow. "Despite our annual visits to the DHM in Kathmandu to advocate for repairs and maintenance, our efforts have proven futile."

Tshering Sherpa, the chief executive officer of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, a local NGO, reiterated these concerns and emphasized the widespread implications of Imja's failure. Spring is the peak season for visitors, drawing trekkers, tourists, and climbers to the region. "Six villages are at risk of flooding, as are more than 60,000 tourists who visit our area each year," he highlighted.

Officials are aware of the ongoing dangers. However, according to Niraj Pradhananga, a senior meteorologist at DHM, the central government has not allocated any budget for maintenance. While suggestions for covering the costs through hydro-power providers downstream have not materialized, he noted, "Thus, we cannot adequately ascertain whether the early warning sirens are operational."

Reports indicate that batteries essential for the siren systems have even been pilfered in villages like Dingboche.

Archana Shrestha, the acting director general of DHM, acknowledged that funding had been reallocated to enhance the early warning system for another glacial lake, consuming time and resources. "Now, we will refocus our efforts on Imja lake," she stated. "We are also altering regulations to ensure our staff have adequate time, budget, and resources to perform necessary maintenance and repairs, considering Imja lake's remote location."

Compounding worries is the hydro-meteorological station tasked with transmitting real-time water level data to officials in Kathmandu, which has faced persistent issues. "We've been receiving data less frequently than required, hindering our ability to send mobile alerts in the event of flooding," Pradhananga noted. They have communicated these concerns to both the satellite company and its local service provider.

While the satellite company assured the BBC that no problems existed, they implicated the local service provider, who reportedly has not responded to DHM inquiries.

In the meantime, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has secured an additional $36 million grant to replicate the successful framework from Imja lake at four other locations in Nepal. Monica Upadhyay, UNDP Nepal's head of communication, stated that "lessons learned from Imja" have guided the design of these alternative projects, ensuring a stronger emphasis on long-term sustainability through clear institutional arrangements and dedicated financing mechanisms, including appropriate private sector partnerships.

As these challenges persist, members of the Sherpa community feel compelled to confront the risks head-on. "For us in the Khumbu region, it feels like a mere façade," said Nawang Thome Sherpa, a local official in Phakding, a village vulnerable to Imja lake's effects. "They allocated millions under the guise of protecting us from potential disasters, yet we continue to live in fear of losing lives and property every day."