Nepal Floods: ICIMOD Expert Calls for Regional Cooperation and Data Sharing
Kathmandu, August 27, 2026: The devastating floods in Nepal have renewed calls for stronger regional cooperation and faster sharing of disaster-related information across the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
Mohd Farooq Azam, Senior Cryosphere Specialist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), said countries in the region need better coordination before disasters strike.
«“Need to have regional cooperation and data sharing policy to be ready for such disasters in advance.”»
Azam’s remarks highlight a key challenge in managing disasters across the Himalayan region. Rivers, glaciers and mountain hazards do not follow national borders.
Why Regional Data Sharing Matters
The latest Nepal disaster has shown how quickly conditions can change in high-mountain areas. Early access to information can help authorities issue warnings and plan evacuations.
ICIMOD has repeatedly advocated stronger cross-border cooperation on water, climate and disaster risks. Its recent work calls for joint data systems and basin-wide early warning networks.
The organisation says the Hindu Kush Himalaya is home to major river systems. Their waters support nearly two billion people across Asia.
Nepal Floods Highlight Himalayan Disaster Risks
Scientists are examining the possible role of an ice-rock avalanche in triggering the latest flash floods. The event sent water, sediment and debris through river systems in central Nepal.
Experts have also pointed to the growing risks linked to changes in the Himalayan cryosphere. These include glacier melt, unstable slopes, landslides and glacial lake outburst floods.
A recent ICIMOD assessment says climate change is accelerating glacier loss across the Hindu Kush Himalaya. It also warns that changing cryosphere conditions can increase multiple hazards.
Reuters reported that the recent disaster has caused extensive loss of life and major disruption along the Nepal-China border. Scientists are also examining how climate change may be influencing the conditions behind such extreme events.
Early Warning Systems Need Cross-Border Support
Experts say warnings are most effective when information reaches vulnerable communities quickly.
That requires reliable monitoring stations, shared scientific data and clear communication channels. It also requires governments to agree on how information will be exchanged during emergencies.
ICIMOD’s regional water framework specifically recommends stronger data sharing, joint assessments and cross-border early warning systems.
Cryosphere Monitoring Can Improve Preparedness
Azam has worked extensively on glacier and cryosphere research in the Hindu Kush Himalaya. ICIMOD lists him as a Senior Cryosphere Specialist and Intervention Manager.
He has also been involved in regional discussions on cryosphere data sharing and Himalayan glacier monitoring.
The need for better monitoring is becoming more urgent as Himalayan glaciers and other cryosphere components undergo rapid changes.
ICIMOD’s 2026 research highlights accelerating glacier mass loss, changing snowfall patterns and degrading permafrost. These changes can affect water systems and increase disaster risks.
A Call for Preparedness Before the Next Disaster
The Nepal floods have brought disaster preparedness back into focus across South Asia.
Experts argue that regional cooperation cannot begin only after an emergency occurs. Monitoring, information sharing and coordinated response plans need to be established in advance.
For Himalayan countries, this could mean stronger scientific partnerships and better communication between agencies. It could also help communities receive warnings earlier.
The central message from Azam is clear: regional cooperation and data sharing should become part of disaster preparedness, not an emergency response after a disaster begins.
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