Nepal PM calls for urgent climate action after deadly Himalayan disaster

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah is calling for stronger global action on climate change following the devastating floods and landslides that struck the Himalayan region last week.

Shah described the disaster as an extraordinary event driven by climate change, as rescue operations continue across communities hit by massive flooding and debris flows.

The disaster has killed nearly 1,000 people in Nepal, with the overall death toll surpassing 1,000 when casualties in Tibet are included. Thousands remain missing, while rescuers continue searching remote areas and damaged hydropower facilities.

Shah said the scale of the devastation highlights the growing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate-related disasters. He urged the international community to recognize the risks facing mountain communities and take stronger measures to address climate change.

Rescue teams continue working through mud, debris and damaged infrastructure to reach survivors, including hydropower workers believed to be trapped in tunnels.

The disaster has also severely damaged roads, bridges, power facilities and other critical infrastructure, further complicating rescue and relief operations.

As Nepal begins the difficult recovery process, the government is pressing for greater international attention to the climate threats facing the Himalayas.

For Nepal, the catastrophe is more than a natural disaster, it is a stark warning of what a changing climate can unleash.