Managing flash flood risk in the Himalayas

Information sheet #1/10:

This information sheet summarises the major causes of flash floods in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, and the different approaches that can be used to reduce the potential impacts. It delivers three key messages:

(i) due to local characteristics and the sudden nature of their occurrence, flash floods are best managed by local authorities and communities;
(ii) non-structural measures are more effective in the management of flash flood risk, but a combination of non-structural and small-scale structural measures can produce the best results; and (iii) flash floods should be addressed while implementing national and regional flood management policies, and integrated water resources management and disaster risk management plans.