Nepal’s climate suffering must pave the way for a safe and fair future

Detailed summary

Young people in Nepal are seeking international solidarity from COP31 to help our nation tackle the worsening climate disasters knocking at all of our doors The post Nepal’s…

Gita Chaudhary is Nepal's Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Environment.

We are still grieving the thousands dead and missing from the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi climate catastrophe on August 26. The ice-rock avalanche originated at 5,200m above sea level and carried roughly 100 million cubic metres of debris-laden water, at an average speed of 150km/h, burying homes, farms, schools in minutes. We lost more than 1,400 lives and more than 5,200 people remain missing.

Scientists have classified 21 glacial lakes in Nepal as dangerous due to melting permafrost and ice in the Himalayas, so even as we work on the recovery, we believe this can happen again.

Gita Chaudhary is Nepal's Minister of Agriculture, Forests and Environment.

We are still grieving the thousands dead and missing from the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi climate catastrophe on August 26. The ice-rock avalanche originated at 5,200m above sea level and carried roughly 100 million cubic metres of debris-laden water, at an average speed of 150km/h, burying homes, farms, schools in minutes. We lost more than 1,400 lives and more than 5,200 people remain missing.

Scientists have classified 21 glacial lakes in Nepal as dangerous due to melting permafrost and ice in the Himalayas, so even as we work on the recovery, we believe this can happen again.

Heavy rain in late September and again in October has caused further deadly avalanches, landslides and flooding, adding to people’s pain.

The "roof" of the world - mountain top glaciers that more than 1.9 billion people rely on for water and energy - is no longer stable.

I represent a young nation. Our administration was elected into office by young people who want transparency and accountability in politics, just like their peers around the world.

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