Civil society, rights activists urge govt to publish action plan following catastrophic glacial flood

KATHMANDU: Civil society members and human rights activists in Nepal have called on the government to immediately publish a detailed action plan following a catastrophic glacial flood that killed 1,451 people and left 5,745 missing.

In a joint press statement issued on Thursday, 17 prominent rights leaders expressed concern over state delays in relief distribution, temporary housing and long-term recovery across the devastated Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the outburst directly affected 32,936 individuals, leaving 1,200 children orphaned.

The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse on the northern face of Mount Langtang Lirung on August 26, originated from the Lhende Stream in Tibet's Gyirong region before surging into the Bhotekoshi River.

"Public complaints from affected communities reflect delays in relief distribution, temporary housing and rehabilitation," the release stated. "This reveals that government mechanisms remain ineffective during crisis management, underscoring the need for greater coordination at the policy level."

The appeal coincides with the ongoing 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Prime Minister Balendra Shah is scheduled to address the assembly on September 24. The signatories urged the Prime Minister to inform the international community about the crisis, present national response efforts, and appeal for international grant assistance to establish an information centre, create a cross-border information network, reconstruct infrastructure and rehabilitate victims.

On August 31, 2026, Nepal submitted a $20 million compensation claim to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, citing climate change. The statement requested the Fund address the claim justly, noting its alignment with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Activists also urged Prime Minister Shah to recall international agreements—including the 1992 Earth Summit, the 1997 Kyoto Protocol and the 2015 Paris Agreement—alongside domestic initiatives like the Kalapatthar Cabinet meeting, Sagarmatha Sambaad and the Gharapjhong Climate Conference.

Highlighting severe climate disparities, the activists noted that while global carbon emissions average 4.67 tonnes per year, Nepal contributes merely 0.54 tonnes per year, yet bears extreme consequences. Assessments by international organisations, including ICIMOD and the UNDP, indicate 47 Himalayan glacial lakes remain at risk of bursting.

The signatories called on the government to prioritise early warning networks, revise national development strategies—particularly in the hydroelectricity sector—and bolster the NDRRMA's operational capacity in upcoming recovery efforts.

The press statement was signed by Abhishek Adhikari, Aayush Baral, Indu Tuladhar, Krishna Gautam, Dinesh Tripathi, Nitu Pokharel, Bhagawati Adhikari, Monika Niraula, Ramesh Adhikari, Riyab Baniya, Sabitri Thapa, Shiva Khakurel, Shyam Kumari Sah, Sushil BK, Sushil Pyakurel, Som Niraula and Shobhakar Budhathoki.