Minister Chaudhary calls for collective action for climate justice after Bhotekoshi disaster

Kathmandu: Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary has called for collective international action to achieve climate justice, citing the devastating Bhotekoshi disaster in Rasuwa as a stark warning of the growing climate crisis.

Addressing a ministerial meeting of the Least Developed Countries in Dili, Timor-Leste, Minister Chaudhary said the disaster caused unprecedented loss of life and property.

She said more than 1,206 people have died and over 4,216 remain missing, while around 60,000 people from 15,000 households have been displaced.

The disaster completely damaged 11 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 749 megawatts, more than 100 bridges, 118 telecommunications towers and around 187 kilometres of national highways.

Preliminary estimates put the economic losses at between four and five billion US dollars. Non-economic losses could be two to three times higher, she said.

Minister Chaudhary said countries such as Nepal, which contribute very little to global greenhouse gas emissions, are among those suffering the greatest impacts of climate change.

She called for the full operation of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage and proposed that the Bhotekoshi disaster be considered for rapid-response support. Nepal has already submitted an official request, she said.

The minister also urged stronger regional cooperation, including transboundary data sharing, early-warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure.

She said the Bhotekoshi disaster is a wake-up call and stressed that climate action must focus on implementation, solidarity and climate justice.