Review Nepal

01/09/2026

OKLAHOMA CITY: World Neighbors has appointed international development leader Timothy Prewitt as its President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), bringing nearly th

31/08/2026

Nearly 600 Foreign Nationals Still Missing in Nepal Flood Disaster
Kathmandu: Nearly 600 foreign nationals from 39 countries remain missing after the devastating Bhote Koshi floods and landslides that swept through northern Nepal, leaving families across the world waiting anxiously for news of their loved ones.

The Government of Nepal said Monday that about 590 foreign nationals are still unaccounted for, while more than 323 foreign nationals have been rescued from the disaster-affected areas. The figures were released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during its latest daily briefing on the flood disaster.

The government said 903 bodies have so far been recovered, while approximately 4,200 people remain unaccounted for overall. More than 10,000 people, including hundreds of foreign nationals, have been rescued from areas devastated by the sudden flooding and landslides.

The disaster has therefore become not only one of Nepal's most devastating humanitarian emergencies but also a major international crisis, with tourists, pilgrims and other travellers from dozens of countries caught in the catastrophe.

Foreign nationals from 39 countries missing

According to the Foreign Ministry, the latest assessment shows that foreign nationals from 39 countries remain missing.

The figure has changed as rescue teams locate survivors, families establish contact with relatives and authorities verify information coming from different sources.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry had reported 632 foreign nationals from 33 countries as affected in the Bhote Koshi flood area, with 511 still missing as of August 28. The latest government briefing has now expanded the assessment to 39 countries and reduced the number still missing to about 590 as more information has been verified.

The government has cautioned the media and public against relying on unverified figures, saying the lists of missing people are continuing to change as search and rescue operations progress.

Indians among the largest groups

Indian nationals constitute one of the largest groups of foreign travellers affected by the disaster. Earlier government records showed 178 Indian nationals among those reported missing or unaccounted for in the Bhote Koshi area, with many subsequently located.

The official list also included significant numbers of Chinese, American, Ukrainian, Malaysian, British, Canadian and Australian nationals, alongside travellers from numerous European and Asian countries.

Among the countries previously listed by Nepal were Australia, Canada, China, India, Malaysia, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Germany, France, Russia, South Africa and several others. The latest government briefing says the affected foreign-national list now covers 39 countries.

Australian families wait for answers

Australian nationals have attracted particular international attention because dozens of Australians were travelling in the region when the disaster struck.

Nepal's earlier official list recorded 35 Australians missing on the Nepal side of the disaster. Australia's government has separately reported a higher figure for Australians unaccounted for in the wider Nepal-Tibet disaster because its count includes people believed to have been in Tibet as well as Nepal.

The difference illustrates the enormous difficulty authorities face in determining exactly how many people were in the affected region when the flood struck.

For families, however, the distinction between Nepal and Tibet matters little. They are waiting for one thing: confirmation that their relatives are alive and safe.

Tourists and pilgrims caught in a sudden disaster

Many of the foreign nationals were tourists and pilgrims travelling through the Himalayan border region, including people heading toward the Nepal-China border and the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage route.

The flood struck with extraordinary force, sweeping away roads, bridges, buildings, vehicles and other infrastructure. Communication networks were disrupted, leaving many travellers unable to contact their families.

For relatives abroad, days of silence have become a source of deep anxiety.

Some families have contacted Nepalese authorities, foreign embassies, tour operators and hospitals in an effort to determine the whereabouts of relatives. Others have relied on social media and messaging groups to exchange photographs and information.

The Nepalese Foreign Ministry has established a dedicated Emergency Control Room to coordinate information concerning missing foreign nationals and to communicate with their families. Nepal's diplomatic missions are also assisting with verification, identification and possible repatriation procedures.

Search teams face a race against time

The search for missing people is being conducted under extremely difficult conditions.

Entire sections of roads and bridges have disappeared, while large quantities of mud, rocks and debris have buried homes, businesses and infrastructure.

The disaster has also severely affected hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, where hundreds of workers are believed to remain trapped or unaccounted for inside tunnels.

Nepal has mobilized the security forces and specialized rescue teams, with technical assistance from India, China and South Korea for tunnel rescue operations. A team of 18 forensic specialists from India is assisting with DNA analysis, while Nepal is coordinating with Singapore on the possible deployment of a Disaster Victim Identification team.

Identifying the dead

The recovery of bodies has brought another painful task for authorities and families: identification.

The government says 903 bodies have been recovered so far. Some bodies have been badly affected by prolonged exposure to water and may not be immediately identifiable.

Authorities have therefore collected DNA samples before temporarily burying some unidentified victims. The samples are being preserved so that families can later match them and, where necessary, recover the remains for religious and cultural funeral rites.

For foreign victims, the identification process requires close coordination between Nepalese authorities, embassies and relatives in their home countries.

International help reaches Nepal

The scale of the disaster has prompted international support.

Nepal says it has received rescue and relief assistance from India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, South Korea and other countries.

Foreign governments and international agencies are providing equipment and expertise ranging from DNA-testing kits and forensic assistance to generators, emergency supplies, tents, blankets, food and medical materials.

The assistance is particularly important as Nepal confronts the enormous logistical challenge of reaching isolated communities and searching areas covered by mud and debris.

Government urges reliance on verified information

With the number of missing people changing rapidly, the Nepalese government has urged the media and public to rely on official information.

The Foreign Ministry said the figures are still subject to verification and that updated information will be provided through government agencies, including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and Nepal Tourism Board.

This caution is particularly important for families of missing foreign nationals, who can be deeply affected by unconfirmed reports circulating online.

A tragedy that has crossed borders

The Bhote Koshi disaster began as a catastrophe in Nepal but has quickly become an international humanitarian emergency.

Behind the numbers are hundreds of individual stories—tourists who came to Nepal for adventure, pilgrims travelling toward sacred destinations, workers building infrastructure in the Himalayas and families who expected their loved ones to return home.

Now, their families are waiting for phone calls that have not come.

For some, the rescue of a relative will bring enormous relief. For others, the recovery and identification of a body may finally provide the painful certainty they have been waiting for.

But for nearly 590 foreign nationals still missing, there is still no answer.

Nepalese authorities say the search will continue, with the immediate priority remaining clear: find the missing, save those who can still be rescued, identify the dead and ensure that every affected family—Nepali or foreign—receives reliable information and assistance.

31/08/2026

Canada Sends 10 Officials to Nepal as Families Await News of Missing Loved Ones
Ottawa/Kathmandu: As families anxiously wait for news of loved ones caught in one of Nepal’s deadliest recent disasters, the Canadian government has sent a 10-member team to the country to help locate missing Canadians and permanent residents and support those affected by the floods.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Monday that the Canadian team, which includes a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), is working on the ground with Nepalese authorities and local partners to determine the whereabouts of Canadians reported missing and assist their families.

The Canadian deployment comes as the human toll of the disaster continues to rise.

According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), 903 people have died and 4,247 remain missing in Nepal following devastating floods and landslides along the Himalayan border with China.

For families in Canada, the figures represent more than statistics. Each missing person is a parent, child, spouse, relative or friend whose family is waiting for a phone call that could bring either relief or heartbreaking news.

Anand said Saturday that one Canadian who had earlier been reported missing had been found safe, providing some relief amid the uncertainty.

However, approximately 30 Canadians and permanent residents remain unaccounted for, according to the Canadian government. Officials have cautioned that the number could change as communication is restored and more information becomes available from remote areas.

Rescue teams race against time

The disaster struck the Himalayan region on August 26, sending huge amounts of water, mud, ice and debris through valleys and settlements. Homes were damaged, roads and bridges were swept away, and several hydropower projects were severely affected.

The mountainous terrain has made the search particularly difficult. Rescue workers are having to clear tonnes of mud and debris while dealing with damaged roads, unstable slopes and the continuing risk of further landslides.

Among the most difficult rescue efforts are those involving workers believed to be trapped inside hydropower tunnels. Nepalese authorities have reported hundreds of workers missing from several hydropower projects, prompting rescue teams to use heavy machinery and controlled explosions to clear blocked passages.

For rescuers, every hour matters. For families, every hour without information brings greater anxiety.

Canada provides humanitarian assistance

Alongside its consular response, the Canadian government has announced $5 million in urgent humanitarian assistance for Nepal.

The funding will support emergency relief efforts and help provide essential assistance to communities struggling with the destruction caused by the floods and landslides.

The Canadian government has also been working to maintain communication with families in Canada whose relatives may be in the affected areas. Officials are gathering information from local authorities and attempting to verify the safety of people whose whereabouts have not been confirmed.

The disaster has also affected the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Chinese authorities have reported 16 deaths and 546 people missing in the affected area, adding to the scale of the humanitarian crisis on both sides of the border.

A disaster measured in lives

The floods have left communities facing the difficult task of finding missing relatives, recovering bodies and beginning to rebuild homes and livelihoods.

For those still waiting, however, recovery remains a distant concern. Their immediate hope is simply to hear that a missing family member has been found alive.

Canadian authorities say their priority remains locating Canadians and permanent residents whose safety has not yet been confirmed and ensuring that affected families receive the support they need.

As rescue teams continue working through mud, damaged infrastructure and difficult mountain terrain, families in Canada and Nepal remain focused on the same question: Where are their loved ones?

The Canadian government has said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further assistance as search and rescue operations continue.

31/08/2026

Nepal Flood Disaster: 35 Australians Reported Missing in Nepal as Search Efforts Continue
Kathmandu: Search and rescue operations are continuing in flood- and landslide-affected areas of northern Nepal as authorities work to locate thousands of people still unaccounted for, including dozens of foreign nationals.

According to records maintained by Nepal’s Interpol agency, 35 Australian nationals had been reported missing in Nepal as of 10:00 am on August 31. The figure differs from the Australian government’s count of 43 Australians reported missing in the broader disaster. Australian authorities have said their figure includes six people reported missing in Tibet, while the Nepalese count relates to those reported missing within Nepal.

The discrepancy highlights the difficulty of establishing a definitive list of missing people nearly a week after the disaster, as communication links were disrupted and many travellers were moving between Nepal and Tibet.

The worst-affected areas include Rasuwa district in Nepal and the Gyirong border area in Tibet, where powerful floods and landslides destroyed roads, bridges, buildings and other infrastructure.

Search operations face difficult terrain

Nepalese security agencies have continued search and rescue operations across the affected districts, while authorities are also working to identify bodies recovered downstream.

The scale of the disaster has made it difficult to establish the whereabouts of many people. Nepalese authorities have reported that hundreds of foreign nationals were among those missing in the early stages of the disaster, with people from several countries unaccounted for.

The disaster has also affected major hydropower projects and communities along the Trishuli River and other waterways. Thousands of Nepali citizens and foreign nationals have either been rescued or remain unaccounted for, according to authorities and agencies involved in the response.

In the border area, access remains particularly difficult because roads and bridges were swept away and large quantities of mud and debris have covered parts of the terrain.

Chinese rescue teams have reached the Gyirong area from the Tibet side, while efforts are continuing to reopen damaged road links. The destruction around the border crossing has complicated communication and the movement of heavy rescue equipment.

Australians among missing foreign nationals

The missing Australians are understood to include tourists and pilgrims who had travelled in groups towards the Nepal-China border and the Mount Kailash region.

Earlier information from the Nepal Tourism Board put the number of missing Australians at 35, alongside hundreds of other foreign nationals from countries including India, the United States, Ukraine, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade subsequently increased its broader figure to 43. Australian officials have said they are continuing to work with Nepalese and Chinese authorities to establish the whereabouts of those who remain unaccounted for.

At least one Australian, Michael Keats, has been reported dead, while Australian authorities continue efforts to verify the status of others reported missing. Another Australian, Cara Severino, has been reported rescued.

Families waiting for information

Families of missing Australians have travelled to Kathmandu as they seek information about their relatives. Some have been communicating through social media and messaging groups while waiting for official updates.

The restoration of some telephone connectivity in the affected area raised hopes among families that contact might be established with missing travellers. However, no confirmed contact with many of those reported missing has been established.

Tour operators involved in organising pilgrimages and trekking trips have also been assisting authorities and families in identifying travellers and checking hospitals and other possible locations.

Authorities caution against premature conclusions

Although the passage of several days has increased concerns for those still missing, search officials and disaster experts have cautioned against assuming that every missing person has died.

The possibility remains that some people may have been swept downstream, taken shelter in isolated locations or become stranded in areas that rescuers have not yet been able to reach.

At the same time, the continuing danger of landslides, unstable ground, heavy rain and renewed flooding is making the search increasingly difficult and dangerous for rescue personnel.

Nepalese authorities have deployed large numbers of security personnel and emergency workers in the affected areas. Search teams are continuing to recover bodies, locate missing people and provide assistance to survivors.

Wider disaster

The search for missing foreign nationals is only one part of a much larger humanitarian emergency.

Nepal has reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of missing people following the catastrophic flooding, while large sections of roads, bridges, hydropower facilities, homes and public infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. The government has sought international technical and humanitarian assistance as rescue and recovery operations continue.

The disaster has also affected communities on the Chinese side of the border, where hundreds of people have been reported missing.

With access to some of the hardest-hit areas still limited, authorities face the difficult task of determining the final number of deaths and missing people.

For the families of those still unaccounted for, the search remains ongoing, with authorities continuing efforts to establish what happened to those caught in the devastating floods.

31/08/2026

31/08/2026

काठमाडौं । रसुवा र आसपासका जिल्लामा आएको विनाशकारी बाढीबाट मृत्यु हुनेको संख्या ९३९ पुगेको छ । अझै ३ हजार ९२५ जना ...

31/08/2026

Kathmandu, Nepal: The Government of Nepal has formally appealed to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) for immediate emergency financial assistance fo

31/08/2026

Kathmandu, Nepal: The death toll from the devastating floods that swept through Rasuwa and several downstream districts has reached 939, while 3,925 people remain u

31/08/2026

भोटेकोशी विपद्पछि आपत्कालीन सहायता माग्दै नेपालद्वारा लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डलाई आग्रह
काठमाडौं: भोटेकोशी नदी प्रणालीमा अगस्ट २६ मा आएको विनाशकारी बाढीबाट ठूलो जनधनको क्षति भएपछि नेपाल सरकारले लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्ड (एफआरएलडी) सँग तत्काल आपत्कालीन वित्तीय सहायता उपलब्ध गराउन आग्रह गरेको छ।

बाढीबाट ठूलो संख्यामा मानिसको ज्यान गएको छ भने घर, सडक, पुल, जलविद्युत् आयोजना तथा अन्य पूर्वाधारमा व्यापक क्षति पुगेको छ।

अर्थमन्त्री डा. स्वर्णिम वाग्ले र कृषि, वन तथा वातावरणमन्त्री गीता चौधरीले संयुक्त रूपमा कोषको बोर्डका सहअध्यक्षहरूलाई पत्र पठाउँदै नियमित बैठक कुर्नु नपर्ने गरी आपत्कालीन सहायता उपलब्ध गराउन विशेष निर्णय गर्न आग्रह गरेका छन्।

उद्धार तथा राहतका काम जारी रहेका बेला सरकारले विपद्बाट भएको मानवीय तथा आर्थिक क्षतिको पूर्ण विवरण संकलन गरिरहेको छ।

परराष्ट्र मन्त्रालयका अनुसार अगस्ट २६ को बाढीबाट भोटेकोशी नदी क्षेत्रका घर, सडक, पुल, जलविद्युत् आयोजना र अन्य महत्वपूर्ण पूर्वाधारमा ठूलो क्षति पुगेको छ। सरकारले खोज, उद्धार, राहत तथा पुनःस्थापनाका लागि उपलब्ध राष्ट्रिय स्रोतसाधन परिचालन गरेको छ।

क्षति तत्काल व्यवस्थापन गर्ने क्षमताभन्दा बाहिर

कृषि, वन तथा वातावरण मन्त्रालयअन्तर्गत जलवायु परिवर्तन व्यवस्थापन महाशाखाका प्रमुख डा. महेश्वर ढकालले विपद्को क्षति सरकारको तत्कालीन वित्तीय तथा उद्धार क्षमताभन्दा ठूलो भएकाले लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डसँग सहायता मागिएको बताएका छन्।

मन्त्रालयले आयोजना गरेको बहुपक्षीय छलफलमा बोल्दै ढकालले कोषको नियमित बोर्ड बैठकसम्म पर्खेर सहायता माग्न सम्भव नभएको बताए।

सरकारका अनुसार उनले बाढीबाट भएको क्षति नेपालको आन्तरिक स्रोत र तत्कालको प्रतिकार्य क्षमताभन्दा निकै ठूलो रहेको बताएका छन्।

उनले नियमित बैठक कुर्नुको सट्टा तत्काल आपत्कालीन सहायता उपलब्ध गराउन बोर्डले विशेष निर्णय गर्नुपर्ने बताए।

लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्ड जलवायुजन्य विपद्बाट आर्थिक तथा गैरआर्थिक क्षति व्यहोर्न बाध्य विकासशील देशलाई सहयोग गर्ने उद्देश्यले स्थापना गरिएको हो।

विपद्को वास्तविक कारण अझै स्पष्ट छैन

सरकारले भोटेकोशी विपद्को निश्चित कारणबारे तत्काल निष्कर्ष निकाल्न सावधानी अपनाएको छ।

परराष्ट्र मन्त्रालयका अनुसार अगस्ट २६ को घटनाको वास्तविक कारण अझै पूर्ण रूपमा पत्ता लागेको छैन। तर अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सञ्चारमाध्यमका रिपोर्टअनुसार उच्च हिमाली क्षेत्रमा भएको हिमपहिरो, चट्टानसहितको हिमस्खलन वा हिमनदीसँग सम्बन्धित कुनै संरचना भत्किँदा ठूलो परिमाणमा पानी, बरफ, चट्टान र गेग्रान तलतिर बगेको हुनसक्ने अनुमान गरिएको छ।

यसले भोटेकोशी र त्रिशूली नदी प्रणालीमा ठूलो बाढी आएको हुनसक्ने बताइएको छ।

हिमाली क्षेत्रमा हुने यस्ता विपद्मा अस्थिर बरफ र चट्टान, नदी थुनिनु, अचानक पानीको निकास, भारी वर्षा तथा बदलिँदो हिमाली परिस्थितिजस्ता विभिन्न कारणले ठूलो बाढी आउन सक्छ।

त्यसैले सरकारले विपद्लाई नेपालको समग्र जलवायु जोखिमसँग जोडेर हेर्दै घटनाको वास्तविक कारणबारे थप अध्ययन गरिरहेको छ।

गम्भीर मानवीय क्षति

भोटेकोशी विपद् पछिल्लो समय नेपालले सामना गरेका गम्भीर मानवीय संकटमध्ये एक बनेको छ।

अगस्ट ३१ सम्म नेपाली अधिकारीहरूलाई उद्धृत गर्दै अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सञ्चारमाध्यमहरूले जनाएअनुसार ९०० भन्दा बढी मानिसको मृत्यु भएको छ भने हजारौँ मानिस अझै बेपत्ता छन्।

रोयटर्सका अनुसार उद्धार टोलीले जलविद्युत् आयोजनाका सुरुङ तथा अन्य दुर्गम स्थानमा फसेका हुनसक्ने सयौँ मानिसको खोजी गरिरहेका छन्।

दुर्गम हिमाली क्षेत्रमा पहुँच कठिन हुनुका साथै जलविद्युत् आयोजनामा गेग्रान थुप्रिएका कारण उद्धार कार्य चुनौतीपूर्ण बनेको छ। त्यसैले मृतक र बेपत्ताको संख्या अझै परिवर्तन हुनसक्ने अवस्था छ।

सरकारले उद्धार, खोजी तथा प्रभावितको स्थानान्तरणका लागि सुरक्षाकर्मी र हेलिकोप्टर परिचालन गरेको छ। छिमेकी देशसहित विभिन्न देशका विशेषज्ञ तथा आवश्यक उपकरण पनि उद्धार कार्यमा परिचालन भएका छन्।

बेपत्ताको संख्या अझै यकिन हुन नसक्दा विपद्बाट भएको कुल क्षतिको पूर्ण विवरण तयार गर्न कठिन भएको छ।

जलविद्युत् र पूर्वाधारमा ठूलो क्षति

विपद्बाट नेपालको जलविद्युत् पूर्वाधारमा ठूलो क्षति पुगेको छ।

रसुवा र नुवाकोटका विभिन्न जलविद्युत् आयोजना प्रभावित भएका छन्। ती आयोजनामा कार्यरत केही कामदार बेपत्ता भएको बताइएको छ।

उद्धार टोलीले अपर त्रिशूली–१, अपर त्रिशूली–३ए, अपर त्रिशूली–३बी लगायत प्रभावित क्षेत्रमा रहेका जलविद्युत् आयोजनामा उद्धार कार्यलाई प्राथमिकता दिएका छन्।

सडक र पुलमा समेत ठूलो क्षति पुगेकाले उद्धार टोलीलाई प्रभावित बस्तीमा पुग्न र राहत सामग्री पुर्‍याउन कठिन भएको छ।

भोटेकोशी करिडोर उत्तरी नेपालका बस्तीलाई चीनसँगको सीमा क्षेत्रमा रहेका प्रमुख यातायात तथा व्यापारिक मार्गसँग जोड्ने महत्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र हो। त्यसैले यहाँको पूर्वाधारमा भएको क्षतिको असर विपद् प्रभावित क्षेत्रभन्दा बाहिरसम्म पर्न सक्छ।

पुनर्निर्माणमा ५ अर्ब डलरसम्म खर्च लाग्न सक्ने

सरकारले विपद्पछिको विस्तृत आवश्यकता मूल्यांकन पूरा गरिसकेको छैन। तर प्रारम्भिक अनुमानअनुसार पुनर्निर्माण र पुनःस्थापनामा ४ देखि ५ अर्ब अमेरिकी डलरसम्म खर्च लाग्न सक्ने देखिएको छ।

अर्थमन्त्री स्वर्णिम वाग्लेले रोयटर्ससँगको अन्तर्वार्तामा यस्तो प्रारम्भिक अनुमान प्रस्तुत गरेका हुन्। उनले यो प्रारम्भिक अनुमान मात्र भएको र विस्तृत मूल्यांकन भइरहेको बताएका छन्।

द काठमाडौं पोस्ट ले पनि सरकारी अधिकारीहरूले विपद्पछिको आवश्यकता मूल्यांकनको तयारी गरिरहेको र पुनर्निर्माणका लागि आवश्यक रकम करिब ५ अर्ब डलरसम्म पुग्न सक्ने जनाएको छ।

यो रकमलाई बाढीबाट भएको अन्तिम आर्थिक क्षति नभई समग्र पुनर्निर्माणका लागि आवश्यक पर्न सक्ने अनुमानका रूपमा बुझ्नुपर्नेछ।

सार्वजनिक पूर्वाधार, निजी सम्पत्ति, जलविद्युत् आयोजना, यातायात सञ्जाल, व्यवसाय, कृषि, पर्यटनलगायत विभिन्न क्षेत्रमा भएको क्षतिको विस्तृत मूल्यांकनपछि मात्र वास्तविक लागत निर्धारण हुनेछ।

जलवायु न्यायका लागि नेपालको आग्रह

लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डसँग नेपालले गरेको आग्रहलाई जलवायु न्यायको व्यापक बहससँग पनि जोडिएको छ।

नेपालले विश्वव्यापी हरितगृह ग्यास उत्सर्जनमा निकै कम योगदान गरे पनि यसको हिमाली भौगोलिक अवस्थाका कारण बाढी, पहिरो, हिमनदीजन्य विपद् तथा अन्य जलवायुजन्य जोखिम उच्च छ।

सरकारका अनुसार भोटेकोशी विपद्ले उच्च हिमाली क्षेत्रमा उत्पन्न हुने जोखिमले नदीको तल्लो तटीय क्षेत्रमा समेत ठूलो असर पार्न सक्ने देखाएको छ।

यसको असर जनधनको क्षतिमा मात्र सीमित हुँदैन। सडक र पुलमा क्षति हुँदा बस्तीहरू अलग्गिन सक्छन्। जलविद्युत् आयोजनामा क्षति हुँदा विद्युत् उत्पादन प्रभावित हुन सक्छ। खानेपानी, स्वास्थ्य, खाद्य, यातायात र सञ्चार सेवामा अवरोध हुँदा थप मानवीय समस्या सिर्जना हुन सक्छ।

त्यसैले जोखिममा रहेका देशले आफ्नै स्रोतबाट व्यवस्थापन गर्न नसक्ने क्षतिका लागि अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय जलवायु वित्तको महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका हुनुपर्ने नेपालको धारणा छ।

लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डले के गर्न सक्छ?

लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्ड संयुक्त राष्ट्रसंघीय जलवायु प्रक्रियाअन्तर्गत जलवायु परिवर्तनका प्रतिकूल प्रभावबाट बढी प्रभावित विकासशील देशलाई सहयोग गर्न स्थापना गरिएको हो।

यसले जलवायु परिवर्तनसँग सम्बन्धित आर्थिक तथा गैरआर्थिक क्षति र नोक्सानीलाई सम्बोधन गर्ने उद्देश्य राखेको छ। यसमा चरम मौसमजन्य घटना तथा दीर्घकालीन रूपमा देखिने जलवायुजन्य घटनाबाट हुने क्षतिसमेत समेटिन्छ।

त्यसैले नेपालको आग्रहसँग यो कोष प्रत्यक्ष रूपमा सम्बन्धित भए पनि सरकारले सहायता माग्दैमा आपत्कालीन रकम स्वीकृत भइसकेको अर्थ हुँदैन।

नेपालले बोर्डलाई विशेष निर्णय गरी तत्काल सहायता उपलब्ध गराउन आग्रह गरेको हो। कति रकम र कुन प्रक्रियाबाट सहायता उपलब्ध गराउने भन्ने विषय कोषका नियम, योग्यता, उपलब्ध स्रोत तथा बोर्डको निर्णयमा निर्भर हुनेछ।

महत्वपूर्ण कुरा के हो भने नेपालले आपत्कालीन वित्तीय सहायता माग गरेको हो; माग गरिएको रकम स्वीकृत वा वितरण भइसकेको पुष्टि भएको छैन।

मूल्यांकनका लागि सरकारले विवरण उपलब्ध गराउने

सरकारले कोषलाई प्रारम्भिक क्षति मूल्यांकन, आधिकारिक तथ्यांक, भू–उपग्रहबाट प्राप्त सूचना तथा विभिन्न क्षेत्रको क्षतिको विवरण उपलब्ध गराउने जनाएको छ।

नेपाल र कोषबीच सूचना आदानप्रदान तथा समन्वय सहज बनाउन एक सम्पर्क व्यक्ति तोक्नसमेत सरकारले आग्रह गरेको छ।

विपद्बाट भएको पूर्ण क्षतिको विवरण अझै संकलन भइरहेकाले यी तथ्यांक र विवरण महत्वपूर्ण हुनेछन्।

खोज तथा उद्धार, पीडितको पहिचान, क्षतिको मूल्यांकन तथा प्रभावित क्षेत्रमा पहुँच पुनःस्थापना गर्ने काम एकैसाथ जारी छन्।

अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोग र क्षेत्रीय सहकार्य

विपद्को व्यापकतालाई ध्यानमा राख्दै अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोग र क्षेत्रीय सहकार्य पनि बढेको छ।

भारत, चीन तथा अन्य देशका विशेषज्ञहरू विशेषगरी जलविद्युत् आयोजनामा फसेका हुनसक्ने कामदारको उद्धारमा संलग्न भएका छन्।

भोटेकोशी नदी प्रणाली चीनसम्म फैलिएको हिमाली क्षेत्रसँग जोडिएकाले विपद्का बेला सीमापार सूचना आदानप्रदानको महत्व पनि बढेको छ।

नेपालले हिमाली जोखिमसम्बन्धी सूचना आदानप्रदान र पूर्वसूचना प्रणालीलाई थप प्रभावकारी बनाउन क्षेत्रीय सहकार्य आवश्यक रहेको बताउँदै आएको छ।

रोयटर्सका अनुसार भोटेकोशी विपद्ले हिमनदी, पहिरो तथा उच्च हिमाली क्षेत्रमा रहेका अन्य जोखिमको निगरानी र तथ्यांक आदानप्रदानलाई अझ प्रभावकारी बनाउनुपर्ने आवश्यकता देखाएको छ।

राहतसँगै पुनर्निर्माणको चुनौती

अहिलेको मुख्य प्राथमिकता मानिसको ज्यान जोगाउनु, बेपत्ताको खोजी गर्नु र प्रभावितलाई राहत उपलब्ध गराउनु हो। तर दीर्घकालीन चुनौती भनेको क्षतिग्रस्त पूर्वाधार पुनर्निर्माण गर्नु र प्रभावित परिवार तथा समुदायको जीविकोपार्जन पुनःस्थापित गर्नु हुनेछ।

सरकारले आपत्कालीन उद्धार र राहतबाट क्रमशः पुनःस्थापना तथा पुनर्निर्माणतर्फ अघि बढ्नुपर्नेछ।

यस क्रममा सडक र पुल पुनर्निर्माण, विद्युत् तथा सार्वजनिक सेवा पुनःस्थापना, विस्थापित परिवारलाई सहयोग तथा प्रभावित व्यवसाय र समुदायलाई पुनःस्थापित गर्ने काम गर्नुपर्नेछ।

यस विपद्ले उच्च जोखिमयुक्त हिमाली क्षेत्रमा निर्माण भएका पूर्वाधारको सुरक्षा, पूर्वसूचना प्रणालीको प्रभावकारिता तथा हिमनदी, पहिरोको जोखिममा रहेका भूभाग र नदी प्रणालीको निरन्तर निगरानीबारे बहसलाई पनि तीव्र बनाउने देखिन्छ।

विज्ञहरूका अनुसार प्रभावकारी निगरानी र पूर्वसूचना प्रणाली अत्यावश्यक छ। उच्च हिमाली क्षेत्रमा अचानक हुने घटनापछि नदीको तल्लो क्षेत्रमा रहेका समुदायसँग सुरक्षित स्थानमा जानका लागि निकै कम समय हुन सक्छ।

अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय जलवायु वित्तका लागि परीक्षा

नेपालले लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डसँग गरेको आग्रह अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय जलवायु वित्तका लागि महत्वपूर्ण समयमा आएको छ।

नेपालका लागि तत्कालको प्रश्न भनेको आफ्नै क्षमताभन्दा ठूलो विपद् सामना गरिरहेको अवस्थामा अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय संयन्त्रले आवश्यक वित्तीय सहायता कति छिटो उपलब्ध गराउन सक्छ भन्ने हो।

लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डका लागि भने नेपालको आग्रह जोखिममा रहेका विकासशील देशमा आएको ठूलो विपद्प्रति कोषले कति छिटो प्रतिक्रिया दिन सक्छ भन्ने परीक्षण बन्न सक्छ।

तर नेपालको यो आग्रहलाई घरेलु विपद् तयारीको विकल्पका रूपमा भने लिनु हुँदैन। भोटेकोशी विपद्ले प्रभावकारी पूर्वसूचना प्रणाली, हिमाली जोखिमको निरन्तर निगरानी, विपद् प्रतिरोधी पूर्वाधार, प्रभावकारी आपत्कालीन सञ्चार प्रणाली तथा क्षेत्रीय सहकार्यको आवश्यकता स्पष्ट पारेको छ।

सरकारले क्षतिको मूल्यांकन जारी राखेका बेला तत्कालीन प्राथमिकता अझै बेपत्ता व्यक्तिको खोजी र प्रभावितलाई सहायता उपलब्ध गराउनु हो।

दीर्घकालीन चुनौती भनेको प्रभावित समुदाय र पूर्वाधारको पुनर्निर्माण गर्नुका साथै नेपालको जोखिममा रहेका हिमाली नदी करिडोरमा यस्तै अर्को विपद्को सम्भावना कम गर्नु हो।

त्यसैले लस एन्ड ड्यामेज फन्डसँग सरकारले गरेको आपत्कालीन वित्तीय सहायताको आग्रह तत्काल अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय सहयोगको अपिल मात्र नभई जलवायुजन्य तथा हिमाली विपद्बाट बढ्दो क्षतिको भारलाई अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय स्तरमा न्यायोचित रूपमा सम्बोधन गर्न खोजिएको प्रयास पनि हो।