Nepal warns of climate threat after deadly floods

Nepal's foreign minister warned on Saturday of the growing threat from climate change in the Himalayas, as China offered water and satellite data after devastating floods on their shared border killed hundreds.

The US Geological Survey said the disaster on Wednesday near the high-altitude China-Nepal border was caused by a glacial collapse.

What caused Nepal's deadly floods?

The floods followed a glacial collapse near the China-Nepal border that sent a torrent of debris downstream, leaving nearly 3,000 people missing and 682 confirmed dead. While the exact cause of the collapse is unclear, climate change is causing glaciers to melt worldwide, increasing the risk of such disasters.

How is China helping Nepal after the floods?

Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said he had spoken by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, agreeing to increase the sharing of "real-time hydrological data," according to a statement. Wang, in a Chinese foreign ministry statement, said Beijing had "shared crucial information with Nepal, including disaster area imagery, satellite and hydrological data, as well as early warnings about upstream barrier lakes." Wang added that "China and Nepal are bound by mountains and rivers, sharing a common destiny."

What is the impact of climate change on Nepal?

Khanal had earlier told reporters on Saturday that Nepal needed greater research to "understand the changing dynamics of the Himalayan ecosystem" and the risks they pose to the landlocked country, encircled by India and China. That includes not only risks "to Nepal and the downstream community, but also to our northern neighbour, to China, as well," Khanal said.

Himalayan glaciers, which provide critical water to nearly two billion people, are melting faster as the planet heats, exposing communities to unpredictable, costly disasters. Melting glaciers and thawing permafrost can also destabilise mountain slopes, increasing the risk of landslides and other hazards.

Why is Nepal calling for global climate action?

Khanal said climate change required international action. "We always highlight that Nepal contributes less than or just about 0.01 percent of greenhouse gases but we, the people of Nepal, are one of the major victims of the changing climate and its impact," he added.

"So we request the global community also to come together to preserve the Himalayan ecosystem."