Balendra Shah identifies climate change as a primary driver of the catastrophic floods and landslides in Nepal

This event caused a torrent of mud, water, and debris to sweep through the Lhende Khola valley at speeds of 150 km/h, destroying homes, roads, and power plants. The death toll in Nepal and China has exceeded 1,100 people, with approximately 4,500 people remaining unaccounted for on both sides of the border. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with the Nepali Army reporting the rescue of 3,891 people by air. However, the terrain remains precarious due to the melting of glaciers and the potential for further instability in the fractured bedrock. The administration announced a four-month Humanitarian Flash Appeal to address the critical needs of affected communities. While scientists have not definitively linked the specific landslide to the climate crisis, they have noted that rising temperatures in the Himalayas are causing glaciers to melt and destabilize, increasing the risk of floods and avalanches.