Warning Signal
A devastating glacial collapse in Nepal that unleashed deadly floods was a "warning signal" over the growing risks climate change poses to the Himalayan nation, its foreign minister told AFP on Tuesday. "We believe that this disaster should be seen as a warning signal to the risk that climate change poses to Nepal," Shisir Khanal said in an interview, nearly a week since the tsunami-like wave of freezing water, rocks and debris carved a trail of destruction.
More than 1'000 bodies have been recovered, and nearly 4'500 people are missing in Nepal as well as across the Chinese border in Tibet. Khanal invited international support based on climate justice rather than charity, noting that his largely rural nation of 30 million people contributes a fraction of global greenhouse gas emissions compared to industrialised nations.
240 million in the mountains
Glaciers in the wider Himalayan and Hindu Kush ranges are a crucial water source for around 240 million people in the mountainous regions, as well as for another 1.65 billion people in the South Asian and Southeast Asian river valleys below. "It impacts the entirety of Himalayan region's civilisation," Khanal said.
"We are a downstream community for China, and an upstream community of India, and the Himalayan rivers impact all of us," he added. The glacial collapse has highlighted the need to speed up data sharing mechanisms to alert of any similar catastrophes. "Since the disaster, China has shared a lot of data, especially for this region where this particular disaster occurred," he said.
While Nepal is now in mourning, Khanal said people should still come to visit. "We're in a moment of sorrow and grief. But this is very resilient nation. Nepal still remains open."