Kathmandu— Gita Chaudhary, Nepal's Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment, addressed a ministerial-level meeting of Least Developed Countries (LDC) in Dili, Timor-Leste on September 3. She emphasized the severity of the recent flood disaster in Bhotekoshi River, which occurred on August 10, causing unprecedented damage and loss of life. Minister Chaudhary called for collective efforts to secure climate justice, highlighting Nepal's negligible contribution to greenhouse gas emissions despite bearing significant impacts.

Impact of the Bhotekoshi Disaster

The flood in Bhotekoshi River resulted in catastrophic snow-rock avalanches and caused unprecedented damage. Minister Chaudhary reported that over 1,206 people lost their lives, more than 4,216 are still missing, and around 60,000 people from 15,000 households were displaced. The disaster completely damaged 11 hydropower projects with a production capacity of 749 MW, over 100 bridges, 118 telecom towers, and approximately 187 km of national highways.

Economic Losses

The preliminary economic loss is estimated at $4 to $5 billion. Non-economic losses are expected to be two to three times higher and in many cases irreversible. The disaster's scale underscores the profound injustice faced by Nepal, which contributes negligibly to greenhouse gas emissions but suffers disproportionately from climate impacts.

Call for Climate Justice

Minister Chaudhary called on LDCs to unite and demand justice for climate change impacts. She emphasized that the first priority of the government was saving lives and livelihoods, mobilizing security agencies, government officials, local communities, volunteers, civil society organizations, development partners, and media colleagues. The minister stressed the need for regional partnerships and cooperation in managing river systems.

Proposals at COP31

Minister Chaudhary proposed bringing the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage into full operation and making it accessible to countries facing climate catastrophes. She also highlighted the need to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, urging developed nations to fulfill their obligations under Article 9 of the Paris Agreement by providing new, additional, predictable, and grant-based public finance.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.