Rain, rising rivers hamper Nepal tunnel rescue as disaster missing toll nears 3,000

KATHMANDU, Aug 30 — Nepal's foreign minister and the UN climate chief expressed grave concerns over the mounting risks of global warming to the Himalayas, following a devastating flood that left thousands missing and 682 dead. The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse along the border with China, has heightened the urgency for both nations to collaborate.

Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal revealed that he had contacted his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, to enhance the exchange of "real-time hydrological data". Wang Yi, in response, affirmed that Beijing had shared essential information with Nepal, encompassing disaster area imagery, satellite and hydrological data, as well as early warnings about upstream barrier lakes. He emphasized that "China and Nepal are bound by mountains and rivers, sharing a common destiny".

Nepal, encircled by India and China, is grappling with the escalating hazards posed by melting Himalayan glaciers. These glaciers supply water to nearly two billion people, and their accelerated melting, exacerbated by climate change, is exposing communities to unpredictable and costly disasters. Nepalese Foreign Minister Khanal stressed the need for greater research to comprehend the shifting dynamics of the Himalayan ecosystem and the associated risks.

He highlighted that the Himalayan glaciers, while contributing less than 0.01 percent of greenhouse gases, are among the most vulnerable victims of climate change. In a statement, UN climate chief Simon Steil underscored the sudden glacial collapse and flash flood as a "devastating reminder of how fragile these mountain environments can be".

He also noted that climate change, driven by human activities, is making such tragedies more frequent and severe, often disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities.