Nepal seeks path to disaster resilience after deadly floods
On August 26, a glacier and mountain collapse triggered water, rock and mud flows through Nepal's Himalayan valleys, killing more than 1,300 people while nearly 5,000 remain missing. The disaster has severely disrupted the country's economy and destroyed many schools.
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Nepal's mountainous regions were struck by one of the most devastating natural disasters in recent memory on August 26. A collapse of a glacier and the mountain beneath it unleashed powerful torrents of water, rocks and mud through the country's Himalayan valleys.
The toll has been severe: more than 1,300 people have died, while nearly 5,000 are still considered missing. These figures suggest the final death count could rise significantly once the fate of the missing becomes clear.
Widespread disruption
Tens of thousands of other residents have seen their lives seriously upended by the disaster. Nepal's economic activity has largely ground to a halt, representing losses for both individuals and the national budget.
The destruction also extended to education, with many schools reported destroyed in the affected areas, leaving large numbers of children and young people without places to study.
The disaster has drawn renewed attention to the broader challenge facing mountainous countries especially exposed to climate change and glacial melt risks: how to build greater resilience against such natural catastrophes in the future.
