Kathmandu: Against the backdrop of devastating floods in the Bhote Koshi and other river basins, eight major political parties have urged the government to immediately initiate diplomatic efforts with China to reduce the risks posed by potentially dangerous glacial lakes located across the border.
In a joint statement issued following an all-party meeting on Thursday, the parties called for the establishment of a “Joint Scientific and Technical Study Mechanism” between Nepal and China. They said glacial lakes in Nepal and China’s Tibet region face increasing risks of rapid melting and possible outburst due to the impacts of climate change.
The parties stressed that joint scientific assessment and monitoring are essential to identify and map high-risk glacial lakes in Nepal and evaluate potential cross-border threats. They said such cooperation could help prevent larger-scale disasters in the future.
The joint statement was signed by Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party; Gagan Thapa, President of the Nepali Congress; Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Centre); Shankar Pokharel, General Secretary of the CPN (UML); Dhruv Rai of the Shram Sanskriti Party; Rajendra Lingden, Chairman of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party; Upendra Yadav, Chairman of the Janata Samajwadi Party; and Chandan Singh of the Janamat Party.
The parties also urged the government to strengthen and institutionalize the real-time exchange of data between Nepal and China under their early warning systems.
They emphasized that timely sharing of information on glacial lakes, water levels and potential flood risks would be crucial for protecting communities living downstream and reducing loss of life and property.
