Nepal’s President Calls for Global Climate Justice After Devastating Floods

Kathmandu – On Monday, President Ram Chandra Paudel addressed a grieving nation, his voice a mix of sorrow and stubborn resolve. He asked the world not just to listen, but to act, reminding us that the Himalayas are more than a postcard – they’re a living, breathing ecosystem now teetering on the edge.

The floods that ripped through the Bhotekoshi River basin since August 26 have taken a terrible toll: 1,356 people have been confirmed dead, and another 4,994 are still missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Whole villages were washed away, roads and bridges snapped like twigs, and homes turned to debris.

“This disaster not only demonstrates the extraordinary fragility of our Himalayan environment, but also makes us acutely aware of the risks arising from continuously rising global temperatures,” Paudel said, his words echoing the raw pain of families who lost everything.

He didn’t just point fingers at climate change; he called for concrete, measurable steps from the international community – real climate‑justice mechanisms that can protect Nepal and other vulnerable nations that contribute barely a fraction of global greenhouse‑gas emissions.

Rebuilding will be a long, hard road. Paudel suggested that Nepal use this tragedy as a chance to rethink its development model, shifting away from projects that expose fragile mountain ecosystems toward greener, more resilient solutions.

Gratitude was also on the agenda. The president thanked neighboring India and China, as well as dozens of other countries, for sending rescue teams, medical staff, equipment, and much‑needed financial aid. Their help has already saved lives and begun to stem the humanitarian crisis.

Search‑and‑rescue operations continue despite damaged roads, treacherous terrain, and ongoing weather threats. Paudel emphasized special care for the most vulnerable – children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and pregnant women – urging that they receive food, clean water, safe shelter, medical care, and psychosocial support.

Finally, he appealed for national unity. “Let us set aside politics and blame,” he urged, calling on parties, civil society, businesses, and citizens to work hand‑in‑hand on relief, reconstruction, and a greener future for Nepal.