Nepal’s President Calls for Global Climate Action After Deadly Floods

Kathmandu – On Monday, President Ram Chandra Paudel stood before the nation with a heavy heart, pointing to the shattered homes and broken bridges that litter the Bhotekoshi River valley. The recent floods, which began on August 26, have already taken 1,356 lives, and roughly 4,994 people are still unaccounted for, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

“What we are seeing is the extraordinary fragility of our Himalayan environment,” he said, his voice wavering a bit. “And it is a stark reminder that the risks linked to continuously rising global temperatures are no longer distant possibilities – they are happening right now.”

Paudel’s message was not just a lament; it was a call to action. He urged the international community to move beyond polite words and deliver concrete, effective measures that ensure climate justice for Nepal and other ecologically vulnerable nations.

The President stressed that Nepal’s contribution to global greenhouse‑gas emissions is tiny, yet the country bears a disproportionate share of climate‑related disasters. “We must learn from this tragedy as we rebuild,” he added, hinting that Nepal’s development model should be re‑examined while the country embarks on reconstruction, rehabilitation, and economic recovery.

He also took a moment to thank neighbouring countries – especially India and China – as well as a host of other nations that have dispatched search‑and‑rescue teams, medical personnel, and vital supplies. Their assistance, he said, is a lifeline for the thousands still trapped in landslide‑blocked valleys.

Even as rescue crews battle treacherous terrain, damaged roads, and hazardous weather, Paudel appealed for special attention to the most vulnerable: children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. “Food, clean water, safe shelter, medical care, and psychosocial support must reach every survivor,” he urged.

Finally, the President called for national unity. He asked political parties, civil society, the private sector and ordinary citizens to set aside blame and work together on relief, reconstruction and long‑term recovery. “Our strength lies in solidarity, not division,” he concluded.