‘Super El Niño’ risk increased, could affect energy and food security: Minister Shrestha

Kathmandu. KATHMANDU: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, has warned that the risk of a powerful ‘Super El Niño’ has increased in Nepal and it could have serious impact on electricity, irrigation, agriculture and food security.

In his address to a program entitled ‘Super El Niño and the National Symposium on Climate Risk: Nepal’s Impact on Water, Food, Energy and Disaster Resilient’, Minister Shrestha said there is around 90 per cent chance of a powerful El Niño.

“El Niño is not just a forecast, it’s already arrived,” he said. Its intensity alone is still uncertain. And this uncertainty is now pointing to a more serious situation. ’

Minister Shrestha said the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has already forecast less than normal rainfall and temperature above normal in many parts of the country by mid-May. He said that the government should make preparations on time on the basis of this.

He said that Nepal’s run-of-river power production may decrease due to the impact of El Niño and there may be pressure on India’s grid when Nepal imports electricity.

“The peak of El Niño is forecast to be from November to February, which is exactly the time we import,” he said. ’

Stating that the risk of drought could also increase, Minister Shrestha said that the system of declaring drought should be changed only after the damage. He said that immediate action should be taken on the basis of early warning taking drought as a ‘mild disaster’.

According to him, Rs 1.28 billion has been allocated for drought management in the coming fiscal year. A total of 225 underground water monitoring tube wells in 22 districts of Tarai are in the process of being approved, he said. Minister Shrestha stressed the need for adequate investment in preparedness.

“Preparation is cheap and cumbersome, and no one sees it when it succeeds,” he said. But the emergency response is costly and visible. ’

Stating that low-carbon emitting countries like Nepal were facing a big impact of climate change, he called on the international community to be more responsible towards the climate justice.