My heart goes out to everyone affected in Nuwakot and Rasuwa — the images of whole communities buried in mud and hundreds still unaccounted for are devastating. The fact that a glacial collapse triggered these flash floods and that bridges, roads and hospitals have been swept away shows how immediate and severe the risks are for Himalayan communities. This isn’t just a “natural” disaster in isolation. Accelerating glacier melt and unstable slopes are linked to a warming climate driven by wealthy, industrialized countries that have long benefited from fossil fuels. Nepal needs far more than emergency airlifts and short-term aid: it needs sustained, well-funded support for early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, community-led relocation where necessary, and long-term recovery that centers local voices and indigenous knowledge. International solidarity means immediate humanitarian assistance now, and real climate justice after — increased adaptation financing, debt relief, and binding commitments from major emitters to cut emissions and fund vulnerable nations. Above all, listen to and prioritize the needs of the affected communities as rescue turns into rebuilding.
