But during the catastrophic flooding on 26 August, locals in Rasuwa district say the river level had risen by 70m (230ft) at some points - so even buildings that were relatively far from the river banks were hit and buried by debris-sludge.
During the catastrophic flooding on 26 August, locals in Rasuwa district reported that the river level rose by 70m at some points. This extreme surge caused buildings relatively far from the river banks to be struck and buried by debris-sludge.
Rising temperatures cause rain to reach high altitudes where it used to only snow, leading to slope failures, rock and ice falls, and other disasters. This environmental shift can destabilize mountain slopes that are also frequently shaken by earthquakes, unleashing devastating disasters downstream.
The ongoing damage forces a poor country to borrow money to repair damage it did not cause. Insurance grades could serve as another way to encourage people to build in less risky areas.
The risks across these vulnerable areas are largely driven by warming in the Himalayan region, which scientists indicate is happening at twice the global rate.
Campaigners state that building regulations are not implemented on the ground and that development has been haphazard in too many places over the years.
On paper there are zoning rules prohibiting the construction of houses and infrastructure too close to river banks, but on the ground we see no implementation of such rules.
At least 300,000 people in parts of the Himalayan region could now be living in the path of potential disasters, according to a new study.
It's clear in Pokhara, a major tourism hub at the foot of the Himalayas that's grown significantly in the past 30 years to cater for a massive increase in visitors.