{
  "id": 3910159,
  "title": "Mountaineer Um Hong-gil points to climate change, tourism over Nepal floods",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/mountaineer-um-hong-gil-points-to-climate-change-tourism-over-nepal",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T06:42:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260828/mountaineer-um-hong-gil-points-to-climate-change-tourism-over-nepal-floods"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Mountaineer Um Hong-gil, who has climbed 16 Himalayan peaks at elevations of 8,000 meters or higher, could not hide his deep sorrow over the devastating floods in Nepal, which have left more than 1,000 people dead or injured, during a phone interview with the Hankook Ilbo on Friday. Um said he had witnessed firsthand the Himalayas becoming warmer, glaciers melting and landslides becoming more…",
  "key_points": [
    "Mountaineer Um Hong-gil mourns over Nepal floods claiming over 1,000 lives",
    "Climate change impacts Himalayas with higher temperatures and retreating glaciers",
    "Flood-affected region near Nepal-China border overlaps with Mount Kailash pilgrimage season"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Um Hong-gil's observations suggest that rising temperatures and increased tourism are exacerbating environmental vulnerabilities in the Himalayas, contributing to disasters like the recent Nepal floods.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Times of India",
        "title": "Nepal floods: Whistles, shouts warned Trishuli folks as river rose 30ft in 30 mins",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/nepal-floods-whistles-shouts-warned-trishuli-folks-as-river-rose-30ft",
        "published": "2026-08-28T03:44:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Mountaineer Um Hong-gil points to climate change, tourism over Nepal floods",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/mountaineer-um-hong-gil-points-to-climate-change-tourism-over-nepal-3915803",
        "published": "2026-08-28T07:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}