24 July 2020
Flexible Structures for Risks Caused due to Climate Change
Maccaferri’s solutions perform successfully in extreme weather and high-altitude regions of Nepal
The climate change is causing Himalayan glaciers to melt at an alarming rate, creating huge glacial lakes which could burst their banks and devastate mountain communities. Imja Tsho a glacial lake located at a high altitude of 5,010 metres was identified as potentially hazardous, and one of the six lakes in danger of bursting.
Nepal is one country that is most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, and it is causing Himalayan glaciers to melt very fast, creating huge glacial lakes which could burst their banks and devastate mountain communities. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the Nepal Army Engineering Department with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility implemented the USD 7.2 million Community-Based Flood and Glacial Lake Outburst Risk Reduction Project (CFGORRP) in 2016, in order to avert the possible risk of loss to human lives and infrastructure in downstream area in case of an outburst-induced flooding. Imja Tsho a glacial lake was identified as potentially hazardous, and one of the six lakes in danger of bursting.
Maccaferri Nepal assisted the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology of by providing technical support and solutions with flexible structures and lining system. Maccaferri’s Zinc+polymer coated gabions and Reno Mattress®, Geotextiles and Geomembranes have been used at the high altitude of 5,010 meters, probably the highest in the world.
With the completion of the project water level at Imja was lowered by 3.4 metres, the dangers of an outburst and resultant flooding were successfully averted.
Advantages of Reno mattress® and Gabions include:
- Can be constructed in any kind of weather
- Does not require formwork which is common for concrete works
- Does not require skilled labor and provide job opportunity for local people
- Does not require heavy machinery for construction
- Proven durability over 100 years and recommended by international standards like: Indian, America, European.
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