Climate catastrophe leaves Nepal mourning while the search for the missing continues

The himalayan flash flood that devastated northern Nepal on August 26 was an unprecedented disaster. The death toll continues to rise, with nearly 1,400 people now confirmed dead and 5,130 still missing, including around 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries.  

Authorities now face the daunting task of recovering and identifying hundreds of bodies, many of them severely damaged by the floodwaters. Meanwhile, families of those still missing remain in agonising uncertainty as rescue operations continue.

For survivors, the conditions are equally harsh. Thousands of homes have been destroyed or rendered uninhabitable. Water sources have been contaminated, while essential infrastructure has been badly damaged. They now face the long aftermath: finding shelter, accessing medical care, burying their dead and eventually, rebuilding their lives.

Faced with the scale of the destruction, Nepalese authorities are increasingly turning to the issue of climate justice. Nepal contributes only a tiny share of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet it is among the countries bearing the brunt of climate change. Kathmandu now wants to change its message on the international stage. Rather than simply calling for emergency aid, it is demanding compensation for the losses and damage caused by climate change.

A report by Shahzaib Wahlah and Ondine de Gaulle, in collaboration with Diamond Uprety.