Nepal’s ‘Apocalyptic’ Floods Highlight Climate Threats in the Himalayas
Nepal faces apocalyptic flood destruction, with climate change warnings from UNOPS official Sara Netzer. Rebuilding efforts struggle as rivers shift and comm...
POLICY WIRE — Kathmandu, Nepal — A catastrophic flood event in northern Nepal has left entire villages destroyed, with experts warning that such disasters could become more frequent due to climate change.
Sara Netzer, regional director for UNOPS, highlighted the scale of devastation during a recent briefing in Geneva. She noted that recovery efforts are facing unprecedented challenges, with many affected communities still reeling from the loss of homes, lives, and stability.
The flash floods and landslides, triggered by a glacier collapse in late August, have claimed over 1,200 lives and displaced thousands. Netzer described scenes of complete destruction, with debris up to eight meters deep, including personal items and remains of victims. She emphasized the psychological trauma faced by children who lost family members and now live in temporary shelters.
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Reconstruction efforts are hampered by shifting river courses and unstable ground, making it difficult to determine safe areas for rebuilding. Only one of 40 bridges in the region remains intact, isolating communities and complicating aid delivery. The World Food Programme has had to use helicopters to reach those in need.
Netzer also noted that some communities were already displaced by the 2015 earthquake, compounding their current struggles. With climate change expected to increase such events, she warned that similar crises could spread across the Himalayas in the future.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
