Nepal PM tells UN Himalayan floods are warning to the world

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the 81st UN General Assembly on the evening of Sept. 24, 2026, saying the late-August floods from a glacier and rock collapse at Langtang Lirung near the Nepal-China border “was not just a local tragedy. It was a warning to the world. And I ask you today: Have you really heard that warning?” He recalled a UN secretary-general warning from Everest nearly three years earlier that “was not heard enough,” stated Nepal contributes less than 0.1% of global emissions yet faces retreating glaciers and unstable slopes, and proposed a Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism with India and China for satellite data sharing, glacial-lake monitoring and early warnings. About 99% of Nepal’s electricity is hydropower. Shah, 36, a former rapper and engineer, was the youngest head of government to address the assembly this year. CONTESTED: Outlets differ on the toll—Reuters at least 1,386 dead and 5,130 missing as of Sept. 18; Bhaskar English at least 1,450 dead and 6,000+ missing; News18 more than 1,400 dead and 5,000+ missing. Shisir Khanal said the day before that damage exceeded $5 billion, nearly 15% of GDP and a third of the annual budget, and that Nepal needs aid worth about 10% of GDP. The U.S. announced $31 million in new aid, totaling $36 million. Subeksha Khadka said in an online interview: “This time Nepal has been on the target, but it could be anyone... So it’s time to act.” Reconstruction needs and further international response remain open.