“산·얼음 많은 네팔, 1도만 올라도 빙하호 범람…대홍수는 작은 징후”

Nepal, a land of mountains and ice, faces the prospect of floodwaters overrunning communities if temperatures reach just one degree higher, warned young politician Tashi Lama, 27, in an interview with Hangeul. Lama has been advocating for climate change and disaster risk reduction since the 2011 flash flood in his hometown, Limi Valley, which caused extensive damage.

He cautioned that Nepal's recent events are merely "small signs of climate collapse." The recent deluge occurred on January 26th when an approximately 600-meter-wide glacier in the Ranthangri Peak region between Nepal and Tibet broke off, plunging into the Raptangbang river. The ice and debris blocked the river, causing the dam to burst and inundate downstream settlements.

As of now, 472 people have died and 1,535 are missing. Lama described the current situation in Nepal, noting that while the country experiences floods and landslides annually, the scale of this disaster is unprecedented. He lamented that the capital, Kathmandu, has avoided direct damage but is still feeling the impact of the disaster, with many deaths and a deep sense of shock and anxiety.

Infrastructure essential for rescue and relief efforts has been destroyed, making the restoration process far beyond current capabilities. Lama emphasized that the melting glaciers are causing sudden floods as the ice turns to water above 0 degrees Celsius. He stressed that Nepal's vast reserves of ice are at risk of melting due to a rise in global temperatures by just one degree, potentially leading to an 80% reduction in the volume of Himalayan glaciers by 2100.

ICIMOD's recent report warns that floods and landslides will increase in the coming decades if current greenhouse gas emission trends continue. Lama highlighted that Nepal's carbon emissions are minimal on a global scale, yet its people are bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. He pointed out that the Korean construction site for the Upapperasali-1 hydropower plant among the victims, a project aimed at securing energy independence for Nepal, has experienced communication failures.

Among the Korean nationals affected are nine individuals, working on the 216-megawatt facility that would supply nearly 20% of Nepal's electricity once completed. Lama expressed hope for the safe return of the nine Korean nationals and called for urgent assistance from the international community. He emphasized Nepal's vulnerability to the changing climate and the need for robust early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and improved glacial monitoring alongside stronger international cooperation.