Nepal PM calls August flood a 'warning to the world' at UN General Assembly

September 25, 2026 at 11:56 AM2 min

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Nepal's Prime Minister Balendra Shah told the UN General Assembly on Thursday that the August flood that killed at least 1,453 people was a warning to the world. He urged world leaders to act on climate change and proposed a Himalaya Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China. Nepal has requested $20 million from the UN loss and damage fund.

Key Facts

At least 1,453 people died when a torrent of mud, rock and water struck northern Nepal and the China-Tibet border on August 26, triggered by a glacial collapse.
Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported 5,500 people still missing and 13,795 rescued.
Nepal has asked the UN's loss and damage fund for $20 million in aid, the maximum allowed.
Shah proposed a 'Himalaya Climate Resilience Mechanism' including Nepal, India and China to share satellite data, monitor glacial lakes and strengthen early warning systems.
Nepal contributes less than one-tenth of 1 percent of heat-trapping gases behind climate change, while about 99 percent of its electricity comes from hydropower.

UN Address

Prime Minister Balendra Shah made the comments during his address to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday night. He told the gathering that the August disaster 'was not just a local tragedy' and asked, 'Have you really heard that warning?' Shah said political leaders 'have been negligent to translate those warnings in action at the speed and scale that the vulnerable people require.'

Climate Vulnerability

Researchers from the World Weather Attribution group said in a report released last week that the disaster was not caused by a single extreme weather event, but rather a 'compound crisis' shaped by long-term warming, glacier retreat, permafrost thaw and geological instability. Shah said climate change was hurting people not responsible for the crisis but who 'are paying a colossal price for it.' He noted that Nepal contributed less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the heat-trapping gases behind climate change. About 99 percent of the country's electricity comes from hydropower, and many workers were trapped in tunnels by the flooding.

Proposed Mechanism

Shah urged the international community to help bear the cost of helping Nepal adapt to climate change. He proposed to create a 'Himalaya Climate Resilience Mechanism' which would include Nepal and neighbours India and China. The mechanism would allow them to share satellite data and expertise, monitor glacial lakes and strengthen joint early warning systems. Nepal has asked the UN's loss and damage fund for $20 million in aid, the maximum allowed, but a tiny fraction of what it needs.