So far, emergency teams have recovered more than 1,100 bodies, but nearly 4,500 people still remain missing after the gigantic wave of freezing water, rocks, and debris triggered by a high-altitude glacial collapse roared down the Tibet-Nepal border last week.
Nepal is seeking “climate-related compensation” from the United States, India, and China — which the Himalayan nation named as the major greenhouse emitters — for deadly flash floods in the Bhotkoshi River that swept away villages across at least three districts in the country a week ago.
“We are paying the ultimate price for a global crisis we did not create. India has repeatedly emphasised climate equity and highlighted its relatively low per capita emissions. New Delhi argues that climate obligations should take into account differences in countries’ historical emissions, development needs, and capacities. It also maintains that developed countries should provide the necessary financial resources to help such nations deal with climate impacts.
The rapid melting of glaciers and these catastrophic mountain tsunamis are direct consequences of global climate change,” he said, per excerpts of his interview published by PTI. Khanal said Kathmandu plans to raise the issue of climate change “with absolute firmness and clarity” at international forums. He said the country will also seek compensation from major emitters for climate-related losses suffered by vulnerable countries. The minister said Nepal’s finance ministry has officially dispatched a formal climate compensation claim letter to its international partners.
