Study estimates Himalayan flood exposure as building footprints grow

A Scientific Reports study estimates about 293,800 people live in potentially flood-exposed buildings in parts of Nepal, India and China, Phys.org reports. Building footprints in modeled flood zones grew about 46% from 2016 to 2023. Elevation is used as a proxy for exposure; uncertain building and population data limit the estimate, which is not a forecast of imminent flooding.