Nepalese Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal expressed deep concern Thursday over the potential for further casualties as search and rescue teams attempt to access isolated mountain communities devastated by catastrophic flash floods and mudslides.
In an interview with CBS News, Khanal admitted he fears a higher loss of life due to the complete destruction of entire towns, villages, and hydropower facilities. He highlighted Nuwakot—a rugged northern district—where severe structural damage and the loss of bridges and roads have cut off physical access, leaving helicopters as the primary conduit for emergency operations.
The flash floods, triggered on August 26 near the Nepal-China border, have claimed over 1,200 lives, with nearly 4,757 individuals remaining missing across both sides of the frontier. Khanal affirmed that rescue operations are proceeding strictly on a non-discriminatory, humanitarian basis to locate all affected residents and foreign nationals.
Alongside rescue efforts, Khanal announced a shift in Nepal's diplomatic approach regarding disaster relief. The foreign minister called on major global emitters—specifically pointing to China, the United States, and India—to view post-disaster financial support not as charitable aid, but as a legal and moral liability for climate-induced damage. Khanal noted that the Ministry of Finance has submitted formal climate compensation claims to international partners, urging global action to protect the vulnerable Himalayan ecosystem.
