Nepal News

Aasis Subedi, a Bhutanese Nepali refugee, has returned to a state of statelessness after being deported from the United States to Bhutan. Last month, Subedi and two dozen others were deported under a "targeted enforcement operation" by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite their history as refugees fleeing ethnic cleansing in the 1980s. Bhutan refuses to accept them, leading to their expulsion to India and a return to Nepal's Beldangi refugee camps, where Subedi spent part of his youth. According to Robin Gurung from Asian Refugees United, Bhutan remains unsafe for these community members. Subedi’s case highlights a growing crisis, as many deportees face uncertain futures and fear of further deportation. Gurung noted that most deported individuals had already served their time for crimes, leaving families in distress. Subedi noted his longing to return to the U.S., where he had built a life in Pennsylvania before his deportation, stating, "I want to come back. I have family, my kids." U.S. immigration laws prohibit deportation to unsafe countries, raising questions about the legal processes these refugees face.

Scientists are increasingly concerned about the rising snow line in the Himalayas, a phenomenon linked to warmer and drier climate conditions. Recent satellite imagery reveals that the elevation at which snow accumulates on the range is rising alarmingly—nearly 500 feet between December 2024 and January 2025, according to NASA's Earth Observatory. Glaciologist Mauri Pelto from Nichols College noted that the only recent year with typical January snow lines was 2022, pointing to a disturbing trend in which sublimation—where snow evaporates directly into the air—might be responsible for this rapid snow loss. This significant change has implications for nearby communities, heightening the risk of forest fires and leading to potential water shortages. Sher Muhammad from ICIMOD echoed these concerns, stating that diminished snowpacks could threaten agriculture and food supply. Experts are calling for urgent support from governments and G20 nations to address carbon emissions and help communities adapt to these changes. ICIMOD specialist Miriam Jackson warned that without action, the situation could worsen, threatening millions dependent on mountain snowmelt.

A recent 7.1 magnitude earthquake rattled central Nepal on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, prompting memories of the devastating quake that struck the region on April 25, 2015. The earlier disaster resulted in the deaths of nearly 9,000 individuals and injured tens of thousands more, displacing millions and necessitating extensive international aid. Experts from the Nepal government have highlighted that the country is the 11th most earthquake-prone nation globally, situated in a seismically active Himalayan region. A seismologist noted concerns for the western mountainous sectors of Nepal, which could be susceptible to even larger earthquakes. As the nation experiences aftershocks and tremors, officials and citizens remain on high alert, recalling the catastrophic impacts of the earlier disaster and the ongoing risks posed by the geological features of the region.