Nepal’s disaster panel is debating what to call the Bhotekoshi floods. ‘Himalayan tsunami’ isn’t on the list
Summary
A government panel in Nepal is still debating what to call the devastating Bhotekoshi flood more than 40 days after it struck. The disaster has become part of Nepal’s push to present the event as a climate-related catastrophe and seek international climate finance and compensation.
Key Points
- A seven-member government committee has been formed to investigate the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood, determine its causes, assess climate change’s role and formally name the disaster.
- Prime Minister Balendra Shah called the flood a “Himalayan tsunami” at the UN General Assembly, but the term is not being considered by the expert panel.
- The committee says it has compiled evidence and held consultations with international scientists, but has not yet reached the disaster site because of a lack of resources.
- Officials say scientific evidence will be needed if Nepal is to support its claim for climate finance and compensation on the international stage.
