The role of integrated geohazard assessments in disaster risk management

Weather- and climate-related disasters account for the majority of insured losses. In particular, such events have damaged and destroyed many gigawatts of installed hydropower capacity and resulted in many fatalities and irreversible impacts on the downstream river systems and communities. While hydropower development takes advantage of steep gradients and plentiful precipitation in high mountain environments, these are geologically dynamic regions prone to major natural processes. This article provides a brief explanation of the role of integrated geohazard assessments in more holistic disaster risk management action plans for the hydropower sector. Examples are provided from Nepal with geohazard events originating in Tibet (Autonomous Region of China).