Nepal Seeks Climate Compensation From China, US and India - Bloomberg.com

**Nepal Seeks Climate Compensation From China, the United States and India**

Kathmandu – In the wake of the catastrophic flash floods that ravaged Nepal’s western districts in early August, the Nepali government has formally requested climate‑related compensation from China, the United States and India. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sarita Khanal told the cabinet that the deluge, which killed at least **102 people**, left more than **1,200 missing**, and caused damages exceeding **$500 million**, was exacerbated by the region’s accelerating climate change—a phenomenon whose impacts Nepal attributes in part to the industrial emissions of the world’s largest polluters. Khanal’s demand, lodged with the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP) framework, seeks financial support for reconstruction, relocation of displaced families and bolstering of early‑warning systems under the emerging “loss and damage” mechanism.

The disaster, triggered by an unprecedented cloudburst that swelled the **Seti** and **Madi** rivers, forced the evacuation of over **300,000** residents and submerged critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and the historic **Bhimsen Temple** in Pokhara. India and China, already on the ground delivering emergency relief packages worth **$10 million** and **$7 million** respectively, were thanked by Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal for their swift humanitarian assistance. Nonetheless, the Nepali leadership argues that ad‑hoc aid does not offset the long‑term climate‑related losses, urging the three nations to honor a broader responsibility for the climatic events that have become increasingly frequent across the Himalayas.

Washington has not yet issued an official response to Nepal’s claim, though a senior State Department official reiterated the United States’ commitment to climate‑resilient development in the region. India’s Ministry of External Affairs, meanwhile, emphasized its willingness to cooperate on mitigation projects, while China’s Foreign Ministry cited its ongoing support for Nepal’s disaster‑risk management programmes. Analysts say the compensation request reflects a growing trend among vulnerable developing nations to hold major emitters accountable under the UN’s loss‑and‑damage agenda—a diplomatic push that could reshape future climate finance negotiations.