What began as a heavy downpour quickly turned catastrophic, as relentless rains triggered landslides and floods, particularly in the areas surrounding Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling capital.
The New York Times
As the years roll by, the undeniable evidence of climate change is becoming harder to ignore, even for its most ardent sceptics. The world is grappling with extreme weather patterns, rising sea levels, and unprecedented natural disasters. In recent months, the people of Nepal have had a brutal awakening to the devastating effects of climate change.
Late September 2024 brought torrential rains that unleashed chaos across the country. What began as a heavy downpour quickly turned catastrophic, as relentless rains triggered landslides and floods, particularly in the areas surrounding Kathmandu, Nepal’s bustling capital. By September 28, the situation had escalated, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. While some woke to the destruction of the heavy rain, others watched as their homes and livelihoods were lost right before their eyes.
Entire villages were submerged, roads and infrastructure washed away, and families displaced, as homes were buried under debris. Emergency teams worked around the clock to rescue people stranded by rising waters, while hospitals struggled to treat those injured in the aftermath. With over 10 inches of rainfall falling over Nepal's capital city Kathmandu, over 200 people are estimated to have died resulting in the incident being categorised as the worst flood to hit the region in five decades.
Climate scientists have long warned that South Asia, with its mountainous landscapes and dense populations, is particularly susceptible to climate-induced disasters. For a country like Nepal, which relies heavily on its natural environment for agriculture and tourism, the impacts of climate change are devastating. The rains have become heavier, more erratic, and unpredictable, leaving the country ill-prepared for such extremes. These patterns are expected to worsen, as global temperatures rise and weather systems grow more volatile.
However, the situation in Nepal is not isolated. Across the world, regions are experiencing similar disasters—wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and storms—each a reminder of the urgency of addressing the climate crisis. The harsh reality is that climate change does not respect borders, and its effects are felt far beyond the communities directly impacted.
