Satellite Data Reveals Trishuli River Swelled Six-Fold During Nepal Floods

Satellite imagery from multiple sources has revealed the unprecedented scale of flooding along Nepal's Trishuli River, one of the country's major waterways. Analysis comparing pre- and post-flood satellite data shows the river expanded to approximately six times its normal width in affected areas, fundamentally altering the landscape and demonstrating the destructive power of the disaster.

Researchers utilized satellite imagery from Planet Labs, Google Earth, and other mapping platforms to track the river's changing course and measure its expansion across multiple locations. The comparative analysis documented how the swollen river carved new paths through adjacent terrain, inundating agricultural lands, settlements, and infrastructure in its wake.

The Trishuli River, which flows through central Nepal before joining the Narayani River, typically carries significant seasonal water flows. However, the recent flooding event pushed the waterway far beyond normal parameters, creating dangerous conditions downstream and affecting communities dependent on the river for water resources and transport.

Such satellite-based analysis has become an increasingly valuable tool for disaster assessment, allowing researchers and authorities to quantify flood impacts across vast areas without ground access. The imagery provides crucial data for understanding flood dynamics, planning relief operations, and informing longer-term reconstruction and flood management strategies in the region.