KATHMANDU, JULY 2

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) has approved a grant of USD 36.1 million to support Nepal in mitigating the rising threat of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs)-one of the most severe and fast-growing climate risks facing the Himalayan region.

The seven-year project, jointly implemented by Nepal's Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to shift the country's response from post-disaster relief to pre-disaster prevention. It is expected to directly benefit over 2.2 million people residing in vulnerable mountain communities.

Key components of the seven-year project include expanding and upgrading hazard monitoring and early warning systems; reducing water levels in four high-risk glacial lakes (Thulagi, Lower Barun, Lumding Tsho, and Hongu 2); strengthening riverbanks and flood-prone areas through reforestation (over 150 hectares of trees) and protective infrastructure such as check dams and vegetative gabion walls; and helping national and local authorities, first responders and communities to plan and prepare for future risks, according to the UNDP.

DHM Director General Kamal Ram Joshi remarked, 'Building on past successes at Tsho Rolpa and Imja Lakes, this project will reduce GLOF risks in Koshi and Gandaki river basins and safeguard lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.'

Director General of the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, Badri Raj Dhungana, emphasized the importance of community empowerment and ecological restoration in building resilience. 'By empowering communities and restoring ecosystems, this joint initiative with UNDP will boost our resilience to GLOFs and climate-driven floods. We are committed to the successful implementation and sustainability of the project interventions,' Dhungana added.

'2025 becomes a milestone year for the world's glaciers, the rapid retreat of Himalayan ice leaves no room for delay. With Himalayan glaciers retreating at an accelerating rate, immediate measures are critical for mountain communities' resilience', said Henry Gonzalez, Chief Investment Officer of the Green Climate Fund. 'The project in Nepal will enhance GLOF early warning systems and nature-based solutions to mitigate glacier risks and create enabling environment for market opportunities. This initiative focuses on protecting vulnerable communities and infrastructure and establishing a replicable model for climate adaptation in mountain regions globally.'

'Rising temperatures are rapidly transforming Nepal's snowpack, glaciers, permafrost, and precipitation-shifting not just the scale and frequency of mountain hazards, but their very nature,' said ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho. 'We're witnessing a shift from isolated events to cascading disasters. This demands coordinated action to monitor risks, expand early warning systems, and support community preparedness. We welcome GCF's support for this GLOF project and look forward to working with UNDP and DHM to save lives, protect livelihoods, and build long-term resilience across the mountains.'

'UNDP welcomes the opportunity to partner with the Government of Nepal to tackle some of the most urgent and complex climate risks facing mountain regions today,' said Kyoko Yokosuka, UNDP Resident Representative in Nepal. 'Supported by the Green Climate Fund, this initiative represents a long-term investment to protect lives and strengthen resilience where it matters most. It is climate action that is both grounded and game-changing.'

The project contributes directly to Nepal's National Adaptation Plan (2021–2050) and its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0). It also aims to catalyze further investment, bringing total project funding close to USD 50 million, including USD 14 million in co-financing from the Government of Nepal and development partners.

Nepal, with over 2,000 glacial lakes-21 of which are considered potentially dangerous-faces growing risks of sudden floods caused by the accelerated melting of Himalayan glaciers. The initiative combines nature-based solutions, engineering interventions, and early warning systems, while also engaging the private sector and local governments to strengthen community-level adaptation and resilience.