Due to disasters such as glacial floods, landslides, and lake outbursts, residents of Til village in Limi Valley of Namkha Rural Municipality–6 have demanded the relocation of their settlement. As rising temperatures in the Himalayas associated with climate change caused two glacial floods in Jestha and Asar that devastated the village, they have appealed to the federal government for relocation. With snowfall decreasing, erosion and landslides from the hillsides have been troubling 39 households in Til village. On May 15, leakage from two glacial lakes located 5,400 meters above the village sent a large flood into the settlement through a small stream on the right side. A month later, another major glacial flood occurred in the stream on the left side, leaving the village trapped between two floods.
Ward Chairperson Paljor Tamang of Namkha Rural Municipality–6 stated that the demand for relocation was raised because the government had not moved residents from the risk-prone area. “When the floods occurred, site inspections and documentation were completed, and we have been waiting to see where the settlement would be relocated, but the government has not yet moved us,” he said. Chairperson Tamang explained that legal obstacles have prevented the local government from relocating the village despite its willingness. According to him, local residents, along with elected representatives, submitted a relocation request to Prime Minister Sushila Karki on January 24, 2026. He added that until about 15 years ago, dense snowfall used to cover the slopes from top to bottom. Avalanches occurred but did not cause such damage. Now, snow melts into glacial lakes, and when they burst, floods enter the village. Around 2011, glacial lake outbursts had also flooded nearby Halji and Jang villages.
Residents have felt that temperatures have been increasing in recent years in the villages of Humla, causing glaciers to melt more rapidly. Rural municipality executive member Puti Lama said it has become difficult to keep women and children in the village under such conditions.
According to her, villagers have collectively already identified a place to relocate. They intend to move to a location called Taksi, about 32 kilometers above the village. Having experienced the pain of not receiving relief during disasters due to remoteness, villagers have decided to settle near Taksi, close to the Chinese border. She stated, “We have told the Prime Minister that we are ready to stay and safeguard the border even in a place where police themselves cannot remain, if arrangements are made for us.”
Residents of Jangkhola had earlier relocated on their own, with many already settling in Taksi and the surrounding areas. Villagers also believe it would be easier during emergencies because across the border in Tibet, the government has developed infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and food supply facilities.
Geologist Dr. Shiva Kumar Banskota, who visited the area for monitoring after the glacial flood, stated that Til village is exposed to multiple disaster risks. Banskota said, “The village, shielded by stone retaining walls on the cliff, is surrounded by floods from two sides, weakening residents’ sense of security about living there. The glacial lake that leaked this time is now filled and covered by snow; it may warm again during the monsoon and cause further flooding.”
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, which holds executive authority to relocate settlements, has not yet made public the study report it conducted at the time. Senior Divisional Engineer Sushil Kumar Shrestha of the Authority informed that the report notes floods from two sides and the destruction of essential infrastructure for livelihoods, including roads, canals, irrigation, drinking water supply, and a power facility.