Climate Change Impacts Mountain Communities in Various Ways

Regions once considered rain shadows, like Manang and Mustang, have been experiencing heavy rainfall, reduced crop yields, and damage to homes in recent years.

Nisha Tulachan, an 18-year-old from Mustang’s Naurikot, tragically died in her sleep when her mud house collapsed during heavy rains on July 26, 2020. The incident also left her 70-year-old grandfather seriously injured. Her uncle, Shukra Gauchan, reported that the continuous rain over two days caused their traditionally built house to give way.

“There are 28 houses in Naurikot, all traditionally built like ours. Rains are unusual in the mountains, so the entire village was shocked,” Gauchan said. Following the incident, many residents began replacing their traditional mud homes with concrete structures. Naurikot village, situated at an altitude of 2,740 meters in Mustang's Thasang Rural Municipality, exemplifies the shift in housing trends due to increased rainfall.

In Lo Manthang, the northernmost settlement in Mustang at 3,840 meters, residents are also transitioning to concrete houses. Prem Hinjing Gurung, a 66-year-old resident, mentioned that over 25 houses in the village are now concrete. “Those who could afford it built new houses, and some families migrated elsewhere,” Gurung stated.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Mustang district has seen significant damage from heavy rains. In the fiscal year 2017-2018 alone, two houses were completely destroyed, and property worth Rs15.6 million was lost. Climate change expert Ngamindra Dahal noted that the region, once reliant on melted snow for agriculture, now faces unpredictable monsoon rains.

Dahal's research highlights that monsoon rains, typically limited to altitudes of 2,500-3,000 meters, have now extended to regions above 3,500 meters, altering Mustang and Manang's climate patterns. This shift has led to increased temperatures and rainfall in lower Mustang, affecting crop yields and agricultural practices.

Farmers in high-altitude areas struggle with changing weather patterns, impacting crops like potatoes, wheat, barley, and buckwheat. Unexpected weather events during critical growing seasons have led to reduced yields. The apple production in Mustang, for instance, has seen fluctuations despite an increase in the growing area.

Local governments are making efforts to address climate adaptation and risk reduction, but the scale of the issue requires more substantial intervention from provincial and federal authorities. Environment expert Dahal emphasizes the need for long-term climate adaptation and disaster mitigation measures to prevent further damage.