Floods and glacial collapse: How communication can save lives

From one of the most beautiful parts of Nepal’s mountainous border area, we are seeing scenes of devastation and pain – hundreds, maybe thousands, of innocent people, along with countless more homes and livelihoods, swept away in an instant by flash flooding. 

Nepal has not experienced a tragedy on this scale since the 2015 earthquakes. It is heartbreaking to think of those who have perished and been injured - especially during the busy annual Gosainkunda pilgrimage - the years of slow recovery to come, and the very real risk that this could happen again.

BBC Media Action has been working in Nepal for 20 years and much of our work is with local government and broadcasters in how to respond during this kind of emergency. Just this year, we worked with Nepal’s equivalent of the UK Met Office – the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology - to improve the effectiveness of its SMS alert system; their 1155 messaging system is now alerting at-risk populations of further flood risks. 

We’re also sharing short social media videos with the department and with local and national broadcasters – including the public service broadcaster Radio Nepal and Nepal Television - to help the public understand what has happened, and what to do next.

On the ground in Nuwakot

As the death toll rises and people wait desperately for word from loved ones, my BBC Media Action colleagues are also on the ground in hard-hit Nuwakot district, supporting local broadcasters with generators to get them back on air and programming that shares critical information with listeners. We have relaunched our Milijuli Nepali (Together Nepal) Lifeline programming on social media and radio, and we’re advising the Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (ACORAB) – representing over 380 community radio stations -on how to deliver the information people need most in this emergency.

We have a long partnership with Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and so we are also supporting them in their emergency communications – from Facebook Lives and social media updates for the public, to ‘sit-reps’ for emergency responders. The situation is changing fast; we are simultaneously issuing warnings of risks of another flood from pooling glacial waters in the blocked Bhote Koshi river, sharing safe travel routes for those trying to return to Kathmandu by road, letting local people know how they can contact frontline emergency responders for rescue and relief support, and where people can bring donations for those affected.

The hottest year on record

This terrible tragedy - believed the result of a glacial collapse - reminds us that the impacts of climate change do not discriminate. They affect everyone in their path. And those who are poorest will find it hardest to recover.

In recent weeks, global news headlines have already been dominated by extreme heat and wildfires. 2026 is on track to becoming the hottest year on record. Our changing climate is affecting more people around the world than ever before. 

Information is aid

We’ve been working for years with local broadcasters and weather offices in Nepal, and in many other countries, to help them share timely and trustworthy information that helps people to adapt and cope with increasingly unpredictable rains, flooding, drought and extreme weather events.

Information is aid. We stand in solidarity and sorrow with Nepal’s people, and we’ll keep working to support them with the information they need most to help them access shelter, medical care and more, and to help them rebuild.

BBC Media Action has worked in Nepal for 20 years, delivering critical emergency response during the 2015 earthquakes and in-depth support for local broadcasters on climate adaptation and disaster preparedness, response and recovery. Support our work around the world.

The links above lead to donation platform Enthuse's website which is subject to their terms and conditions and privacy policy.