Nepal’s Climate Disasters and the Right to be saved  

Some time ago, Press Council Nepal chair Umesh Shrestha shared a moving reflection on Facebook that stayed with me. He imagined two people: David, living comfortably in a wealthy country, and Maila Tamang, living beside Nepal’s Bhotekoshi River. In that story, he wrote, “ David wakes to air conditioning, hot water, and a car, whereas Maila’s world is far more modest. Yet when the flood came, Maila lost his home, his belongings, and also a family photograph carrying the faces of those he loved. ”

The narrative highlights the egregious climate injustice we face . Those who have contributed the least to the climate crisis often bear its heavy consequences. For Maila, climate change is not about carbon figures or international conferences; it is about losing a home, a livelihood, a memory, and the sense of protection. This brings us to a question : when people confront increasingly inevitable climate disaster, is protection just a humanitarian response, or is it also a matter of their fundamental rights?

Maila is not alone in his suffering. The floods have left thousands missing, including hundreds of foreign travellers from over 33 countries. Over 550 foreign nationals are missing. It is also not their fault that they came to Nepal seeking adventure on its legendary trekking routes or for peace of mind. They came to find themselves in the mountains, but the Himalayas, fueled by a warming climate, offered the worst surprise for all of us. Now, families in Europe, Asia, and America are waiting by their phones, just like Malla’s relatives, hoping for a miracle that may not come.

On August 26, 2026, Himalayan tsunami-like flood was triggered by massive glacial collapse at high-altitude, occurring without any prior rainfall, also described as “ Blue-Sky floods”. As per locals, they described it not simply as a flood but as catastrophic tsunami emerging from the river. As of now, more than 1400 dead bodies have been recovered , while more than 5000 people remain missing, many of whom are believed to be trapped within hydro tunnels.

The impacts of this disaster extend beyond Nepal’s borders, affecting China as well. It is a reminder that disaster don’t respect national boundaries or identities. In order to confront the challenges posed by climate change, we must unify as global citizens rather than isolated nations.