Climate Change in Nepal: The Past Decade’s Disasters and Lessons for Resilience

Nepal, known for its breathtaking Himalayas and rich biodiversity, faces a mounting challenge: climate change is reshaping the country’s landscape, threatening lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of its communities. Over the last ten years, alarming trends and catastrophic events have underlined just how urgent climate action has become for Nepal.

How Climate Change Is Striking Nepal

Nepal’s vulnerability stems from its mountainous terrain, fast-flowing rivers, and reliance on agriculture. As global temperatures climb, climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. Let’s explore some major incidents from the past decade:

Recent Disasters: A Decade of Threats

• Fire, Landslide, and Floods (2016–2025): 
  Nearly 50,000 disasters were recorded in Nepal, with fires topping the list. These dry season fires — fueled by rising temperatures and prolonged droughts — have destroyed homes and forests. Meanwhile, landslides and floods triggered by intense, erratic rainfall have led to widespread displacement and billions worth of damage.

• Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs): May 2025, Humla: 
  Nepal’s glaciers are melting rapidly, swelling high-altitude lakes. In May 2025, glacial lakes in Humla burst, sweeping away settlements and infrastructure. This phenomenon is becoming alarmingly common, threatening communities downstream.
• Extreme Rainfall and Floods: September 2024: 
  Unprecedented monsoon rains hammered Nepal in September 2024, killing over 230 people and displacing 10,000 households. The economic losses were staggering, surpassing $335 million. Such extreme events now occur with increasing regularity.
• Jajarkot Earthquake, November 2023 & Compounded Risks: 
  While the Jajarkot earthquake was a geological event, climate change has amplified community vulnerability. Destroyed homes and livelihoods highlight how overlapping crises increase risks for the most impoverished.

• Melamchi River Disaster, June–July 2021: The Melamchi River of Sindhupalchok experienced highly unusual flooding and sediment flows, even without upstream rainfall. Scientists attribute this “abnormal river behavior” to changing climate and watershed stresses.

What These Events Mean for Nepal

Across Nepal, the consequences are clear:

• Rural farmers struggle with unpredictable weather, crop loss, and soil erosion.
• Hydropower plants and roads have suffered repeated damage, disrupting trade and development.
• Thousands have lost homes, forcing them to migrate, often into new areas that pose fresh risks.
• The poorest communities face mounting health risks, food insecurity, and lack of safe water.

The Road Ahead: Adaptation and Resilience

These disasters are warnings — but also opportunities. Nepal is making strides to bolster its disaster response, invest in climate-smart agriculture, and strengthen infrastructure. Still, much work remains to:

• Scale up early-warning systems for floods, landslides, and glacial lake outbursts.
• Mainstream climate-resilience in planning, particularly for vulnerable communities.
• Advocate for global support, as Nepal’s contribution to greenhouse emissions is negligible but its vulnerability is immense.

Urban Pulse Nepal’s Vision

At Urban Pulse Nepal, we believe that sustainable solutions start with awareness and local action. By highlighting past incidents, we urge citizens, policymakers, and global partners to commit to a greener, more resilient Nepal. Together, we can forge a future that honors our natural heritage and safeguards generations to come.

Let’s act, innovate, and inspire — for a climate-smart Nepal!