Nepal Warns of Climate Threat After Deadly Floods

Nepal's foreign minister has sounded the alarm on the escalating threat of climate change in the Himalayas, a region increasingly vulnerable to devastating natural disasters. The warning comes in the wake of catastrophic floods that swept through the border region with China, claiming hundreds of lives and leaving thousands missing.

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We always highlight that Nepal contributes less than or just about 0.01 percent of greenhouse gases but we, the people of Nepal, are one of the major victims of the changing climate and its impact.

China has responded to the crisis by offering crucial support, including water and satellite data. The two nations have agreed to enhance the sharing of real-time hydrological information, a vital step in managing water resources and mitigating future risks. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the shared destiny between the two countries, stating they are "bound by mountains and rivers."

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal stressed the urgent need for greater research into the "changing dynamics of the Himalayan ecosystem." He pointed out that while Nepal contributes a negligible amount of greenhouse gases, its people are disproportionately affected by the impacts of a warming planet. Khanal appealed to the global community to unite in preserving the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, which provides critical water resources to nearly two billion people worldwide.

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So we request the global community also to come together to preserve the Himalayan ecosystem.

The disaster, believed to be caused by a glacial collapse, underscores the growing risks associated with melting glaciers and thawing permafrost in the Himalayas. These phenomena can destabilize mountain slopes, leading to landslides and other hazardous events, posing a significant threat not only to Nepal and downstream communities but also to China.

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China and Nepal are bound by mountains and rivers, sharing a common destiny.