Mountaineer Um Hong-gil points to climate change, tourism over Nepal floods

Mountaineer Um Hong-gil expressed profound grief over the catastrophic floods in Nepal that have claimed more than 1,000 lives or left many injured, according to a recent phone interview with the Hankook Ilbo. During the conversation, Um highlighted his personal observations of the Himalayas undergoing drastic changes, including higher temperatures, retreating glaciers, and increasingly frequent landslides since he started traveling in the region back in 1985.

Although he had anticipated such a disaster, the sheer magnitude of the recent tragedy surpassed his expectations. The flood-affected areas near the Nepal-China border were also part of Um's recent visit in late May of the same year. He noted that the area, which serves as the primary pathway to the revered Mount Kailash - a pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus - was particularly hard hit as it overlapped with the high season of religious gatherings.

Upon his arrival, Um witnessed a disarrayed scene in a narrow gorge, overwhelmed by a large influx of pilgrims from across the globe.