Nepal floods: President Paudel seeks climate justice after Himalayan disaster

Kathmandu,UPDATED: Sep 7, 2026 18:58 IST

Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel on Monday appealed to the international community to take concrete steps to ensure climate justice for Nepal and other countries facing the worst effects of climate change, after flash floods caused widespread destruction in the Himalayan nation. In a televised address after visiting flood-hit areas, he said the disaster underlined the extreme vulnerability of the Himalayan ecosystem and warned of the growing risks linked to rising global temperatures.

He also urged Nepal's political parties, elected representatives, civil society groups and citizens to unite behind relief and recovery efforts. “This is not a time for division. Nor is it a time to blame one another or get entangled in political disputes and confrontation. This is a time to display national unity and solidarity,” he said.

The flash floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26. They devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal and damaged roads, bridges and hydropower projects. According to official data released on Monday, 1,355 people have been killed across eight districts and 4,996 are still unaccounted for. Preliminary estimates by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority put losses to property, housing and infrastructure at around Nepali Rs 400 billion.

Paudel, who earlier visited flood-hit Nuwakot and Rasuwa, said Nepal was facing a terrifying natural disaster that had brought unimaginable suffering to the people. “The entire nation is mourning this terrible disaster today,” he said, adding that the floods had caused severe damage to critical infrastructure, including hydropower projects. He said, “I make a heartfelt appeal to the international community not only to listen to the voices of ecologically vulnerable countries, including Nepal, but also to take concrete and effective steps to ensure climate justice for them.”

He praised the army, police, armed police force, health workers, local representatives, civil servants, volunteers and organisations involved in search, rescue and relief operations. Saying Nepalis had repeatedly shown courage, patience and determination in difficult times, he also stressed that the country must now focus on recovery. “This is also a time for reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic revival. As we proceed with reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic revival, I feel it is time to reconsider our development model,” he said.

Paudel urged people waiting for news of family members and friends to remain hopeful, saying search-and-rescue efforts would continue. “Difficult terrain, damaged roads and dangerous conditions must not be allowed to obstruct or bring those efforts to an end,” he said. He added that families of both Nepali and foreign nationals affected by the disaster should receive accurate and reliable information and the assistance needed to bring their loved ones home, and said Nepal would coordinate with the concerned governments and diplomatic missions.

He thanked neighbouring countries and the international community for quick assistance, including search-and-rescue personnel, technical experts, medical teams and essential equipment. He said the government was working with local governments, state agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen relief, rescue and recovery measures, and directed authorities to identify the dead with care and responsibility. “I trust that the government will pay special attention to making the identification process credible and systematic by safely preserving DNA samples and other relevant records as necessary,” he added. The President's address combined an appeal for global climate action with a call for unity at home as Nepal deals with heavy loss of life, large-scale damage and a long recovery ahead.

With PTI Inputs

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