Nepal-Tibet floods kill over 1,200 as PM links disaster to climate change

Deadly floods in Nepal and Tibet dominated Wednesday's developments as rescuers searched for survivors. The disasters sharpened Nepal's climate appeal even as regional diplomacy and financial talks continued.Stock photo used for illustrationMajor developments on Wednesday ranged from deadly floods in Nepal and Tibet to diplomatic and financial engagements involving India, Pakistan and the United Nations. In Nepal, the death toll from the devastating flash floods linked to the Bhotekoshi river crossed 1,200, while in Tibet, 21 people were confirmed dead and 541 remained missing after a flash flood in Gyirong county near the Nepal border.Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah said the destruction caused by the Bhotekoshi river floods was due to climate change and said the responsibility to "manage and minimise" its effects also rested with the global community. Elsewhere, Pakistan said it was "hopeful" for peace in West Asia despite the recent escalation between the US and Iran, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held separate meetings with World Bank President Ajay Banga and IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was announced as a participant in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi later this month.In Nepal, rescuers continued operations in difficult conditions, battling rain and debris to trace those believed to be trapped in tunnels along the course of the Bhotekoshi river and in underground powerhouses. The death toll from the flash floods crossed 1,200 on Wednesday.Prime Minister Shah said on Wednesday that the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi river floods was due to climate change. He said the responsibility to "manage and minimise" its effects also rests on the global community. In neighbouring Tibet, Chinese officials said the death toll from the flash flood that struck Gyirong county last week had risen to 21. They said 541 others were still missing in the area near the Nepal border.In Islamabad, Pakistan said it remained "hopeful" for peace in West Asia despite the recent escalation between the US and Iran. It underlined the need for "dialogue and diplomacy" for stability in the region. In Washington, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met World Bank President Ajay Banga and discussed further strengthening the partnership between India and the international financial institution. The discussions focused on deepening corporate, infrastructure and municipal bond markets.Sitharaman also met IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. The two discussed the global economic outlook and India's evolving growth trajectory.At the United Nations, it was announced that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will participate in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi later this month.The day’s developments brought together a grim picture of flood damage in Nepal and Tibet, Nepal’s call for global responsibility on climate change, Pakistan’s appeal for diplomacy in West Asia, India’s economic engagements in Washington, and confirmation of Guterres’s participation in the BRICS Summit in New Delhi.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 2, 2026 20:48 IST