Nepal Calls for Space Technology to Tackle Climate Disasters in the Himalayas
Energy Minister Biraj Shrestha has stressed the need for satellite monitoring, regional cooperation and stronger early warning systems to address climate-induced disasters in the Himalayan region, warning that their impacts can extend hundreds of kilometres downstream.
Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Shrestha has emphasized that space technology and regional cooperation are essential to mitigating increasingly complex disasters caused by climate change in the Himalayan region. Addressing the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand, Minister Shrestha highlighted the cascading impacts of disasters originating in the high Himalayas and extending to downstream river basins and coastal areas. He cited recent avalanches in Langtang Lirung and landslides in the Budhi Gandaki region, which have caused significant loss of life and property in river basins, including the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli, while also affecting hydropower projects under construction. According to Minister Shrestha, such disasters have caused an estimated USD 2.7 billion in damage, while approximately USD 4.8 billion will be required for reconstruction. He stressed that conventional rainfall forecasting alone is no longer sufficient to address disasters that can travel hundreds of kilometres from the high Himalayas within hours. Satellite-based monitoring and preparedness, he said, are increasingly necessary. The minister called for stronger satellite technology, improved data sharing and the expansion of an “early warning system for all,” particularly in remote areas. He also expressed confidence that the 2026–2030 action plan, which incorporates regional cooperation and technical assistance, would help strengthen disaster preparedness across the region. Highlighting Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change, Shrestha noted that the country contributes only 0.01 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions but continues to face severe climate-related impacts. Despite this, he reaffirmed Nepal’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2045 and safeguarding its clean energy system. He also proposed developing Nepal into a regional centre for multi-hazard research and learning, expressing hope that satellite observation, artificial intelligence and innovation would help reduce disaster risks stretching from the Himalayas to the seas.