Nepal's PM Tells UN Nation Deserves "Climate Justice" as Flood Death Toll Passes 1,400

Prime Minister Balendra Shah addressed the 81st UN General Assembly in New York on 24 September, arguing that Nepal — a negligible greenhouse-gas emitter — deserves "climate justice and compensation" after the 26 August glacier collapse on Langtang Lirung that sent catastrophic flooding down the Trishuli valley. As of 23–24 September, Kathmandu Post and AFP reporting put the confirmed death toll above 1,400, with more than 5,600 still missing across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan districts; the toll has risen steadily since August and may rise further. Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has framed support as "compensation rather than charity."

Nepal estimates reconstruction at roughly $4.78 billion, and Shah asked wealthy nations for concessional climate finance, early-warning technology and resilience funding. Uncertain: the final casualty count, and whether the appeal yields concrete pledges.