The August 26 flood across Tibet and Nepal has claimed the lives of 1,453 individuals, with 5,200 still unaccounted for. This toll reflects data solely from Nepal. In Tibet, under Chinese administration, open recognition of casualties is restricted. On the day of the flood, the Kyirong County in Tibet initiated a WeChat system for missing persons, which was halted after 219 reports. This has raised concerns about censorship as social media posts about the flood have been blocked. Citizens challenging the official toll of 43 deaths face fines or detention. Critics argue these measures aim to obscure the causes of such disasters.

Local communities and civil societies demand the cessation of mega-dam constructions. Both critics and Chinese researchers have linked regional disasters with China’s aggressive dam-building on Tibetan rivers. Despite this, China funds a substantial portion of Nepal’s hydropower projects, reflecting broader geopolitical aims. By doing so, Beijing seeks to reduce Nepal’s dependence on Indian energy sources. However, constructing large reservoirs beneath Himalayan glaciers, where warming occurs at twice the global rate, poses a significant environmental threat. These reservoirs act as heat sinks, contributing to warming in the glacial zones, a phenomenon observed in expanding natural glacial lakes.

For those in the Himalayas, these dams pose a significant risk. Warnings about glacial lakes bursting due to rising temperatures are longstanding. There are over 14,000 lakes across the Himalayas, and with increasing temperatures, the acceleration of glacial melting creates more hazardous conditions. A 9th-century treaty between Tibet and China emphasized happiness and prosperity for Tibetans in Tibet and Chinese in China. This has become a point of cultural tension as historical mismanagement of the Tibetan Plateau by Beijing highlights a disconnect between Chinese policies and Tibetan environmental needs.

Historical policies disregarding Tibetan ecological wisdom have led to disasters. Modern Chinese actions continue this trend by intensifying efforts to integrate minority cultures into a broader national framework, mirroring past mistakes seen globally, such as in the Indian residential school system. Beijing’s policies towards Tibet also extend into environmental misjudgments. Without consideration for Tibetan cultural insights, China’s disregard of potential seismic impacts escalates the risk of catastrophic glacial lake outbursts.

The consequences of actions in Tibet extend beyond its borders, affecting neighboring countries and potentially China itself. Should any of China’s 95,000 dams fail, the impact could surpass historical disasters like the 1931 Yangtze River flood. The threat extends to nations throughout South and Southeast Asia. Reflecting on ancestral wisdom, Beijing could consider re-engaging with Tibetan cultural insights as a strategy for future security in an era of climate change.

Tenzin Bhagen (Yeshi Dorje), a Tibetan writer and former journalist with experience in Himalayan environmental protection, emphasizes the urgent need for change.