Nepal Has 11 Hour Blackouts as Climate Change Dries up its Rivers

[Harry Hope]

January 4, 2011

Nepal Has 11 Hour Blackouts as Climate Change Dries up its Rivers

By Susan Kraemer

The state-run Nepal Electricity Authority has had to cut power for 11 hours a day beginning this week, because river water levels have dropped dramatically, according to AllHeadlineNews. http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90029026?Nepalis%20lose%20electricity%20for%2011%20hours%20a%20day%20as%20rivers%20dry%20up

With its steep terrain topped by glaciers, Nepal has the greatest hydro power potential in the world, at 84,000 megawatts. To date, only a small portion of that has been developed, 600 megawatts – enough to serve a small population who live a much less energy-intensive life than people in the US.

But, with warming, over the last few years, Nepal’s glaciers have already been retreating.

This reduces dry season flows formerly fed by gradual melt water throughout the spring and summer. Now river flow from glacier melt is much more unstable throughout the year, putting at risk both hydro power and agriculture. As glaciers melt, new glacial lakes are forming and overflowing making the flow erratic and unpredictable.

Read more at http://cleantechnica.com/2011/01/04/nepal-has-11-hour-blackouts-as-climate-change-dries-up-its-rivers/

[opihimoimoi]

1. Realistic solutions should be reviewed implemented asap

[villager]

2. but, but, but... there is no climate change!

"The jury is still out," etc.!

thus, we can keep obeying our corporate masters!

[hatrack]

3. No one could have predicted this!

:eyes:

[11 Bravo]

4. Yeah, but it snowed somewhere in December! Global climate change is a hoax!

[pscot]

5. Buffalo NY

Proof for sure that GW is bogus.