Thousands at risk after multi-million dollar Everest flood warning system left to rust
The flood warning system at Imja glacial lake has not been maintained since 2016, fearful locals tell BBC.
Coverage by Political Leaning
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Notable Quotes
"Going by the state of the siren towers, we don't expect to get any flood warning from them even when Imja lake bursts out."
— Ang Nuru Sherpa , Activist
"When the project was commissioned, we were told officials from the department of hydrology and meteorology will be visiting the region every year to inspect the system, but we see no one coming here."
— Jangbu Sherpa , Activist
"Six villages in the region are vulnerable to floods and so are the more than 60,000 tourists who visit our region every year."
— Tshering Sherpa , Executive
"As a result, we cannot say for sure if the early warning sirens work or they don't."
— Niraj Pradhananga , Academic
"That took all our resources and time, now we will move our attention to Imja."
— Archana Shrestha , Academic
"Going by the state of the siren towers, we don't expect to get any flood warning from them even when Imja lake bursts out."
— Ang Nuru Sherpa , Activist
"When the project was commissioned, we were told officials from the department of hydrology and meteorology will be visiting the region every year to inspect the system, but we see no one coming here."
— Jangbu Sherpa , Activist
"Six villages in the region are vulnerable to floods and so are the more than 60,000 tourists who visit our region every year."
— Tshering Sherpa , Executive
"As a result, we cannot say for sure if the early warning sirens work or they don't."
— Niraj Pradhananga , Academic
"That took all our resources and time."
— Archana Shrestha , Academic
Key People
Chairman of the Chaurikharka buffer zone area adjoining the Sagarmatha national park.
Acting director general of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
Resident of Chhukung village and advocate for the early warning system's maintenance.
Senior meteorologist at the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.
Chief executive officer of the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee.
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All Coverage
The flood warning system at Imja glacial lake has not been maintained since 2016, fearful locals tell BBC.
An early flood warning system designed to protect communities in the Everest region has fallen into disrepair, potentially endangering thousands. The system, last maintained in 2016, has seen its siren towers rust and batteries stolen, with unreliable satellite data hindering mobile alerts.
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