Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of Nepal's electricity comes from hydro sources, but only 2
percent of the country's hydroelectric potential is harnessed.
Future development of this resource, including the sale of
energy to India, could give Nepal's economy a muchﾭneeded
boost. Second, Nepal has become a destination for rafting.
This is particularly true for those visitors who seek worldﾭclass
whitewater streams. Finally, the country's rivers offer spectacuﾭ
lar scenery that could become a major tourist attraction.
NATURAL HAZARDS
Nepal is subject to a number of natural hazards. Severe thunﾭ
derstorms that occur during the summer monsoon season
can cause flooding, mudflows, and landslides. At the opposite
extreme, a weak monsoon can cause severe drought and famﾭ
ine. In the mountains, snow avalanches pose a threat in inhabﾭ
ited areas. A wall of snow can cascade down a mountain slope
with the speed of a race car and sweep away or bury everything
in its path.
Earthquakes, although infrequent, pose a major threat to
life and property in Nepal. The country lies astride an active
seismic zone, created by the clashing of the IndoﾭAustralian and
Eurasian plates. The collision created the Himalaya Mountains
and movement continues to occur at a rate of about oneﾭthird
of an inch (0.8 centimeter) each year. Nepal's last major earthﾭ
quake occurred in 1934; as many as 20,000 people lost their
lives directly or indirectly as a result of this devastating event,
and up to a quarter of the country's homes were destroyed.
Most deaths occurred when people's homes collapsed on them
during the tremor. Historically, Nepal experiences a severe
earthquake approximately every 75 years. Therefore, another
major event is due at any time. With a population that has
more than doubled since 1934, and with no changes in building
construction, the next earthquake may be much more devastatﾭ
ing than those of the past.
