Kathmandu: Nepal has formally sought urgent financial assistance from the UN-backed Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage after a catastrophic flash flood in the Bhotekoshi river basin on August 26 killed at least 1,127 people and left around 3,900 missing.
Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said Nepal is shifting its diplomatic approach from “aid” to “justice and compensation”, arguing that China, the United States and India, identified as the three largest current greenhouse-gas emitters, bear responsibility for climate-related losses suffered by vulnerable nations.
The flood, described by Nepal as a “Himalayan Tsunami”, was reportedly triggered by a massive rock-and-ice avalanche near the Nepal-China border. It devastated Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts, damaging homes, roads, bridges and hydropower projects and displacing thousands.
Nepal’s Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle and Forests and Agriculture Minister Geeta Chaudhary jointly signed the formal request to the Loss and Damage Fund, established at COP27 in 2022 and operationalised at COP28.
Kathmandu said the damage exceeds its immediate response capacity and has sought urgent action for relief, resettlement and reconstruction.
Khanal warned that disappearing Himalayan glaciers could threaten water security for more than two billion South Asians dependent on rivers including the Ganges and Trishuli.
Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah may raise Nepal’s compensation demand at the UN General Assembly, beginning September 8. Nepal has also mobilised embassies to brief governments and donors and sought specialised rescue and reconstruction support.
India has long advocated climate equity, citing its low per-capita emissions, historical responsibility and development needs. Nepal may require $4–5 billion for reconstruction, nearly 10% of its economy.
