Prime Minister Balendra Shah links the devastating Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa to climate change, urging stronger international cooperation to address escalating climate risks in the Himalayas.
Kathmandu, Nepal – Prime Minister Balendra Shah has identified climate change as a key factor behind the catastrophic flood caused by the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district. Speaking on September 1, 2026, Shah highlighted that rising Himalayan temperatures, which have increased by 1.8 degrees Celsius, contributed to the disaster. He called for a stronger global response to cope with the mounting climate risks facing the Himalayan region.
Experts describe the event as one of the most severe disasters in the Himalayas, triggered by an avalanche of snow and rock likely originating from a massive glacier collapse at a considerable height. This initial event caused a massive flood that exacerbated as it descended, resulting in widespread destruction downstream.
Prime Minister Shah emphasized the global nature of climate change and the shared responsibility of all nations in addressing such disasters. He underscored the urgency for Nepal to amplify the issue of climate-induced disasters in the Himalayas at international platforms.
Domestically, the government has transitioned its focus from search and rescue operations to rehabilitation efforts. Medical treatment, psychological counseling, and organized relief distribution continue for affected communities. Currently, 2,653 displaced individuals from Rasuwa are sheltered in 19 temporary camps in Nuwakot district.
This disaster has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities of Himalayan communities to climate change, reiterating the need for collaborative global strategies to mitigate and adapt to such increased environmental risks.
Sources referenced:
- https://thehimalayantimes.com/environment/pm-shah-calls-bhotekoshi-disaster-climate-change-induced-urges-global-response
