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At 8:37 in the morning on Aug 26, a massive slab of rock and glacier ice, roughly the width of six football fields, detached from the north face of Langtang Lirung and plunged more than a  kilometer down the mountain. The impact created a wall of mud, ice, and rock that surged  through the valley near the border with Tibet, causing the Trishuli river downstream to rise nine  meters in just thirty minutes. Hundreds of individuals lost their lives, and thousands more are still unaccounted for. 

For several hours following the disaster, no one in Nepal knew what had occurred. Seismic monitors around the world recorded the impact of the landslide as a magnitude 4.4 earthquake. It took satellite images from Europe’s Sentinel-2, America’s Landsat-9, and eventually an American professor on behalf of an international disaster-response network to tell Nepal that no  earthquake had struck at all. A glacier had simply broken apart under its own weight. 

Consider the tragedy of this situation for just a moment. An immense disaster had occurred in Nepal, within the country’s villages, yet the clearest understanding of what had happened came from the other side of the planet. 

My argument is simple: Although Nepal’s geography is the primary reason for the disasters that keep happening to us, it is also some of the best land on the planet for building satellites and  rockets that can warn us before those disasters occur. What is most frustrating about this  situation is that it is not some futuristic dream; the people who can build these technologies are  already in the country. We have simply never treated the situation with the urgency that it  deserves. 

Though it may seem like a big claim for such a small landlocked country, the laws of physics are  actually in Nepal’s favor. 

Nepal’s latitude, for instance, is the same as that of China’s primary launch site for its largest  satellites and GPS system: Xichang, Sichuan. Both are situated at 28 degrees north latitude,  which is within half a degree of Kathmandu and almost identical to the latitude of Cape  Canaveral, the planet’s most famous launch site. Nepal is, therefore, situated at the same latitude  band as two of the world’s busiest launch sites. 

Now add altitude, which is actually more important than many people realize. A rocket uses  most of its fuel fighting the thick air near the ground. The higher you are when you launch the  rocket, the less air is in the way. Xichang is situated 1,500 meters above sea level. However, at  approximately 5,500 meters above sea level, about the height of Sagarmatha Base Camp, the  atmosphere pressing down upon you is approximately half of what it would be at sea level.  Nepal does not contain one spot at this height. Nepal contains thousands of square kilometers of  land at this height, and most of it is empty of human activity.

The emptiness of the Himalayan plateau is just as important as the altitude. Most of the objections to the idea of a space program for Nepal are based upon the landlocked nature of the  country. For the massive rockets that travel to orbits far from the earth, there needs to be either  land or ocean beneath those rockets to ensure that should any problems occur, there are no  people to hurt. This is a sound concern, but does not apply to small satellites, sounding rockets,  or the ground stations that receive satellite data. These can all operate in remote locations on  land, without the need for an ocean. Upper Mustang and Dolpo are some of the emptiest and  highest habitable locations in all of Asia. If any nation possesses the terrain necessary to  establish a space project without needing a coastline, it is Nepal. 

Furthermore, we already know that the terrain is capable of supporting infrastructure. There is already a joint Nepali-Italian research station situated at an altitude of 5,050 meters near Sagarmatha that has been continuously operational since 1990, hosting over 500 research missions during  that period. Additionally, in 2019, an international space medicine program chose Mustang due  to its resemblance to the planet Mars, using the location to train astronauts on emergency  scenarios on Mars. The rest of the world has already recognized the benefits of Nepal’s mountains. It is Nepali people who have yet to recognize the potential of their own nation. 

Let us now return to the issue of the flood, as this is where the argument concludes. Scientists  have identified 47 glacial lakes in our river basins that are at risk of bursting and causing catastrophic destruction downstream. However, only 21 of these lakes are within Nepal’s borders. The remaining 26 lakes lie across the border in Tibet and India,completely out of reach  on the ground, yet looming directly above our villages. While you cannot post guards at a lake in  another country, you can monitor it from orbit. That is precisely the kind of monitoring a country  shaped like ours should have built for itself years ago. 

Here lies the truly embarrassing truth. In 1984, the International Telecommunication Union  reserved two orbital slots for Nepal to launch a satellite, no bidding, no competition, ours by  right. Four decades later, both spots remain vacant because no government since has deemed the  task urgent enough to complete. We have owned a portion of space since before the majority of  this newspaper’s readers were even born, yet we have never once put it to use. 

So, here is my final position without any hedging: Nepal must stop viewing its high mountain ranges as merely a picturesque backdrop or a map of potential hazards. Instead, it must recognize them as some of the most valuable real estate on Earth for satellite and disaster-monitoring  infrastructure. This implies utilizing our empty plateaus to build and test such technology  domestically and finally deploying the two orbital positions reserved for the nation in space. 

The event of another glacier collapsing somewhere within our mountains is not a hypothetical  scenario. It is a matter of time rather than possibility, especially considering that our nation is  composed entirely of such mountainous terrain. The only question that remains is whether the next warning regarding such a collapse will come from a satellite launched from our own  

mountains, or if it will once again come from a scientist on another continent who is examining  satellite images of our land from a distance. 

Siddhant Pokhrel

Undergrad student

St Xavier’s College, Maitighar

A new global report by Habitat for Humanity titled ‘Home at What Cost?’ reveals that housing insecurity in Nepal significantly outpaces global averages, forcing citizens into extreme financial and health trade-offs. Based on recent nationally representative surveys, 70 percent of Nepalis frequently struggle to pay housing costs, more than double the global average of 34 percent, and an equal share worry a single life setback could jeopardize their homes.

This severe economic pressure directly impacts basic survival, health, and future milestones. Nearly 3 in 10 respondents have delayed medical care due to housing expenses, 21 percent have relied on food assistance, and 72 percent report that housing costs make it difficult to consider starting a family. Furthermore, 76 percent feel unsafe due to poor living conditions.

Compounding these personal struggles are major structural and environmental vulnerabilities, including an annual housing deficit of 34,000 units and heightened risks from landslides and floods. Eliza Sthapit, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Nepal, has emphasized the urgent need for collective action to expand safe, affordable, and climate-resilient housing.

Kathmandu Climate Week 2026 concluded its three-day run on Sunday, bringing together local experiences, national policies, and international climate diplomacy under the theme “Climate Justice for Climate Resilience: From Local Action to Global Climate Diplomacy.” Organized by a coalition of civil society groups, the conference served as a vital multi-stakeholder platform to advance climate equity and build resilience.

The event opened on October 2 with an inaugural address by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal. Over the course of the conference, participants engaged in 29 thematic sessions and three outdoor sessions covering critical issues such as loss and damage, climate finance, the circular economy, and the devastating local impacts of the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi Himalayan Tsunami.

The diverse gathering featured scientists, policymakers, parliamentarians, private-sector leaders, and representatives from vulnerable communities—including youth, Indigenous Peoples, Dalits, women, and persons with disabilities. High-level panels on the concluding days featured prominent figures such as Dhananjay Regmi, Ganesh BK, Anushka Shrestha, and former Foreign Minister Bimala Rai Paudyal, alongside civil society and youth advocates emphasizing grassroots inclusion.

The organizing committee, including representatives like Advocate Arnab Chaudhary and Binod Parajuli, announced long-term visions to expand the initiative to a regional level, establishing Kathmandu as a key hub for climate advocacy. The conference will also hold a public film screening of ‘Elephants in the Fog’.

Culminating three days of intensive deliberations, participants issued the “Kathmandu Call for Climate Justice,” outlining 16 key commitments and urgent demands for the Government of Nepal and the international community.

The declaration calls for policy and legislative actions, including formulating a dedicated Climate Justice Act, establishing a Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Climate Justice, and ensuring inclusive local and provincial participation in drafting the Nepal Climate Change Policy, 2026.

It emphasizes research and science by urging that climate decisions be grounded in empirical evidence, real-time cryosphere research be conducted, and international partnerships be leveraged to advocate for the Mountain Agenda at COP31.

Regarding finance and economics, the call demands prioritizing new, predictable, and grant-based climate finance to bridge gaps at the grassroots level, alongside fully integrating the private sector as a core driver of sustainable action.

Finally, concerning rights and representation, the declaration urges the establishment of a permanent multi-sectoral climate negotiation delegation, the safeguarding of Indigenous and traditional land rights through Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and the meaningful inclusion of marginalized groups, youth, and disaster-affected communities in all climate policies.

Political parties have begun preparations for local elections, which are likely to be held in the middle of next year. The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to launch a nationwide campaign focused on the local elections this week. A team comprising members of the House of Representatives and the party’s Central Committee will visit local levels across the country.

The CPN-UML has also decided to focus on preparations for the local elections. Its recent Central Committee meeting put the leadership issue on hold and prioritized electoral preparations.

With a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, the RSP is seeking to expand its presence at the provincial and local levels, where it currently has no representation, as well as in the National Assembly. The Nepali Congress remains the largest party at the local level, followed by the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center).

The March 5 parliamentary elections weakened both the Nepali Congress and UML, making the upcoming local elections an important test of their organisational strength. The Congress also faces internal divisions, with Gagan Kumar Thapa and Sher Bahadur Deuba leading rival factions and holding separate general conventions.

The UML remains organisationally intact but faces internal differences over KP Sharma Oli’s leadership. Some leaders and cadres have called for a change in leadership, while Oli has remained unwilling to step down. Party leaders and cadres are concerned that the internal dispute could affect the party’s electoral performance.

The UML is seeking an electoral alliance with the Nepali Congress, although such an arrangement may be difficult under Thapa’s leadership. A possible alliance with the Deuba-led faction has also been discussed. Meanwhile, the UML and Nepali Communist Party could explore a poll alliance, while broader cooperation among communist parties remains another possibility.

The last local elections were held in 2022, when the RSP did not participate. Balendra Shah, however, won the Kathmandu mayoral election as an independent candidate.

After Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, authorities are making preparations for his visit to India. The prime minister will likely visit New Delhi next month, which will be his first bilateral visit.

Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has said both Nepal and India are looking forward to a result-oriented and meaningful visit for Prime Minister Shah’s upcoming India trip.

Khanal shared that while the schedule for the visit has not yet been fixed, both sides are engaged in discussions with a positive outlook. He added that the invitation from India was received immediately after the formation of the government.

“From the very beginning, an invitation was received for the prime minister’s visit to India, and Nepal has responded positively,” Foreign Minister Khanal said. “Both sides are aligned on conducting a result-oriented visit at an appropriate time.”

Minister Khanal also noted that the 81st session of the UN General Assembly was highly fruitful in promoting Nepal's interests. He mentioned that the interactions with heads of state and government from around the world during the assembly were utilized to bring Nepal's national interests and post-flood disaster management issues to the global platform.

“During the UN General Assembly, we maximized the opportunity to hold bilateral and multilateral discussions with heads of state, government, and foreign ministers from across the world, prioritizing Nepal’s national interest,” he said. “In this process, we clearly presented Nepal’s post-Bhotekoshi flood disaster situation and the challenges faced due to climate change on the international stage, utilizing every possible opportunity.”

One month after the devastating August flood, the flood-affected areas of Devighat and Dhunge in Nuwakot still bear the scars of destruction. Houses have been swept away, debris remains scattered across settlements, and many families are still waiting for a decision on where and how they will rebuild their lives.

At Devighat, 68-year-old Lom Kumari Lamichhane visits the site of her former home almost every day. She can no longer identify the exact location of her plot. Her house was swept away by the flood and carried some distance from its original location.

On the day of the flood, Lamichhane was preparing her grandson for school when police began announcing warnings about the rising water. However, she received the warning too late. She said she survived by only a few minutes after running to higher ground. 

“I survived by five minutes,” she said. She had about Rs 50,000 in cash and six tolas of gold in the house, but she could not take any of it with her while fleeing the flood.

Soon after the disaster, Lamichhane fell ill and travelled to Kathmandu for treatment. She has since returned and is now living with her family in a rented room near Devighat. During the day, she visits the flood-damaged area, meets relatives and observes what remains of her former home before returning to her rented accommodation.

“We invested all the income we made during our lifetime in buying land and constructing a house. Now we have nothing left,” she said. Lamichhane had migrated to Devighat about 40 years ago. Despite losing her home and belongings, she said she was satisfied with the government's immediate response. “I am satisfied with the government because they provided food, shelter and other things we needed,” she said. She also acknowledged the role played by the local government during the crisis.

ApEx also spoke to several other flood-affected residents who were at their damaged properties. Some were clearing mud and debris from what remained of their houses, while others were searching through the wreckage for belongings that might have survived.

Several residents said there had been coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments during the relief and recovery efforts. Some had already received Rs. 15,000 in rental assistance, while others said they were still waiting to receive it.

At Dunge Bazar, Bhimsen Thapa was looking for assistance to clear the debris from his property. He also said the three levels of government had worked together during the crisis. Thapa’s video footage taken at the time of flood taking the risks has gone viral in the social media.

“I realized the importance of federalism during the flood,” Thapa said. Although there have been reports of poor coordination among government agencies, the accounts of residents interviewed in the affected areas suggested that many people experienced coordination between the federal, provincial and local governments during the immediate response.

A month after the flood, however, the biggest uncertainty for affected families remains their permanent settlement. Residents of Devighat and Dhunge are waiting for government decisions on whether they will be allowed to rebuild at their existing locations or will have to relocate to safer areas.

In Dhunge Bazar, signs of recovery are beginning to emerge. People have started reopening shops, restaurants and other businesses, particularly in areas that were less severely affected and are considered relatively safe.

Experts have suggested relocating settlements from vulnerable areas to safer locations. However, economic activity and connectivity may influence people’s decisions to return. If the road to the China border is reopened, residents may continue returning to the area, at least for business purposes.

The nature of the landscape has also begun to change as the emergency phase comes to an end. Rescue and immediate relief operations have largely subsided, while security agencies and other authorities are now involved in clearing debris, constructing bridges and restoring basic infrastructure.

But for families like Lamichhane’s, recovery is far from complete. The debris may eventually be cleared and businesses may reopen, but the question of where displaced families will permanently live remains unanswered. 

One month after the flood, Devighat and Dhunge show two contrasting realities: the visible signs of recovery and the continuing uncertainty of families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

The ‘Karkha-Charkha’ YouTube channel has officially released ‘Jabunik Rukhwa’, a traditional Tharu ‘Jhumra’ folk music video shot on location across Deukhuri.

Belonging to the ‘Ratanchawa’ sub-genre of Jhumra, traditionally performed and danced to at night, the song moves beyond standard folk entertainment to portray a poignant narrative of working-class life, labor, and domestic intimacy. The storyline follows a husband and wife who reunite after a day of separation and physical exhaustion, sharing a quiet, bittersweet evening centered around the simple aspiration of building a wooden bed out of jamun wood.

The production features lead vocals by prominent Tharu artist Somati Chaudhary and veteran singer Lalta Chaudhary, who marks a return to the singing scene after roughly 30 years. They are supported by chorus vocalists Arzoo Chaudhary, RK Tharu, Anju Chaudhary, and Urmila Gamwa Tharu.

The musical arrangement was directed by Ujjwal Sagar, with audio engineering by Manzil Bikram KC and instrumental contributions from Kiran Baral (flute), Naren Moktan (guitar/ukulele), and Nandu Chaudhary (percussion). Visual production was managed by field producer and creative director Lavkant Chaudhary, alongside management support from Chabilal Kopila, cinematography by Dirgha Chaudhary and Newraj Chaudhary, color grading by Sushil Khanal, and choreography by Sunil Chaudhary featuring the Sanghari Sanskritik Pariwar and Morgalik Naach Toli dance groups.

Kathmandu Climate Week 2026 begins tomorrow under the theme ‘Climate Justice for Building Climate Resilience: From Local Initiatives to Global Climate Diplomacy’.

Inaugurated by Minister for Foreign Affairs Shishir Khanal, the three-day event runs from October 2 to 4 at the Amrapali Banquet in Naxal, Kathmandu. It brings together policymakers, parliamentarians, climate experts, marginalized communities, youth, and international partners to bridge grassroots experiences with national policies and global climate diplomacy ahead of COP31.

Key highlights include high-level political dialogues, 17 parallel thematic sessions on climate justice, loss and damage, and green technology, youth-led discussions on recent climate disasters like the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi floods, and practical training on climate-resilient agriculture. A public film screening will conclude the event on October 5.