Greenwich Council Expresses Solidarity with Nepal Following Devastating Floods

8 September 2026

Greenwich Council has expressed solidarity with the people of Nepal following devastating floods, with councillors standing in respect for those affected.

The council meeting on Monday, September 7, 2026, began with Mayor David Gardner announcing the tragic news of flooding in Nepal's Rasuwa district and parts of Tibet, which resulted in significant loss of life and missing persons.

Councillor Jit Ranabhat, representing residents of Royal Greenwich and of Nepali heritage, spoke movingly about the disaster, which occurred on August 26, 2026. He detailed the destruction caused by flash floods along the Botikwosi and Trishuli River valleys, which were triggered by an ice and rock storm. The floods resulted in over 1,250 deaths, including a few dozens of British citizens , and thousands missing. Beyond the Rasuwa district, the flash floods also caused destruction in Nuwakot and Dhading.

This is not simply a tragedy, thousands of miles away. For many residents of Greenwich, it is deeply very personal, because they have family, friends, and strong connections with communities in Nepal, Councillor Ranabhat stated.

Councillor Ranabhat highlighted the personal impact on many Greenwich residents with family and friends in Nepal, emphasizing the long-standing friendship between Nepal and the UK and the valuable contributions of the Nepalese community to the borough. He also noted that Roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and other vital infrastructures have been severely damaged and some swept away, underscoring the immediate and long-term rebuilding needs in the affected areas.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Anthony Okereke, thanked Councillor Ranabhat for his speech and pledged that the council would hold a vigil to support the Nepalese community. He also announced that the council would circulate information on fundraising processes to enable financial support for rebuilding efforts, a commitment to support rebuilding efforts financially. The council members then stood to pay their respects to those affected by the disaster.

Councils Involved

Greenwich

Meetings Involved

the Council Special Meeting of Greenwich Council on 7 September 2026

People Involved

Councillor Tammy Aghedo Labour and Co-operative Plumstead and Glyndon

Councillor Joshua Ayodele Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Integrated Enforcement Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Arsenal

Councillor Olu Babatola Labour and Co-operative Middle Park and Horn Park

Councillor Stewart Christie Deputy Leader of the Green Group Green Plumstead Common

Councillor Charlie Davis Leader of the Conservative Group Conservative Eltham Town and Avery Hill

Councillor Jane Dickenson Labour and Co-operative Eltham Page

Councillor George Edgar Green East Greenwich

Councillor Jeremy Fraser Chair of Planning Labour and Co-operative Eltham Park and Progress

Councillor Max Green Green Shooters Hill

Councillor Sandra Bauer Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Post-16 Futures Labour and Co-operative Kidbrooke Village and Sutcliffe

Councillor Jo van den Broek Labour and Co-operative Charlton Village and Riverside

Councillor Bren Albiston Labour and Co-operative Charlton Hornfair

Councillor John Fahy Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Labour and Co-operative Kidbrooke Park

Councillor Asli Mohammed Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Dockyard

Councillor Jahdia Spencer Labour West Thamesmead

Councillor Nikki Thurlow Labour and Co-operative Kidbrooke Park

Councillor Nathan Baffour-Awuah Labour West Thamesmead

Councillor Tom Creswell Cabinet Member for Planning and Development Labour Abbey Wood

Councillor Jummy Dawodu Labour and Co-operative Abbey Wood

Councillor Adel Khaireh Cabinet Member for Culture, Equalities and Leisure Labour and Co-operative Plumstead and Glyndon

Councillor Jo Land Green East Greenwich

Councillor Averil Lekau Labour and Co-operative Thamesmead Moorings

Councillor Austin McGrath Green Greenwich Peninsula

Councillor Anthony Okereke Leader of the Council Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Common

Councillor Gabriella Olumide Labour and Co-operative Eltham Park and Progress

Councillor Tamasin Rhymes Leader of the Green Group Green Shooters Hill

Councillor Rob Sayers Conservative Eltham Town and Avery Hill

Councillor Paul Banks Reform Eltham Page

Councillor Leonie Barron Green Plumstead Common

Councillor Leo Fletcher Labour and Co-operative Blackheath Westcombe

Councillor David Monteith Green Plumstead Common

Councillor Tillie Muir Labour Greenwich Creekside

Councillor Calum O'Byrne Mulligan Cabinet Member for Transport, Climate Change, Waste and Streets Labour Greenwich Creekside

Councillor Gaumaya Gurung Ranabhat Labour Abbey Wood

Councillor Jit Ranabhat Chair of Licensing Labour and Co-operative Plumstead and Glyndon

Councillor Christine St. Matthew-Daniel Labour and Co-operative Blackheath Westcombe

Councillor Rachel Taggart-Ryan Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources Labour and Co-operative Middle Park and Horn Park

Interim Director of Place & Growth

Councillor David Gardner Mayor Labour and Co-operative Charlton Village and Riverside

Councillor Raja Zeeshan Deputy Mayor Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Dockyard

Councillor Jessica Holland Green Charlton Hornfair

Councillor Elizabeth Ige Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Common

Councillor Patrick Ives Green East Greenwich

Councillor Sam Littlewood Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Arsenal

Councillor Mariam Lolavar Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Communities Labour and Co-operative Blackheath Westcombe

Councillor Stacy Smith Green Greenwich Park

Councillor Femi Solola Labour and Co-operative Thamesmead Moorings

Councillor Roger Tester Conservative Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham

Councillor Karin Tearle Green Greenwich Park

Councillor Luke Warren Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group Conservative Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham

Director of Health and Adult Services

Councillor Patricia Greenwell Conservative Eltham Town and Avery Hill

Councillor Matt Hartley Leader of the Conservative Group Conservative Mottingham, Coldharbour and New Eltham

Councillor Lewis Hurst Labour and Co-operative Kidbrooke Village and Sutcliffe

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald Chair of Audit and Risk Management Panel Labour and Co-operative Greenwich Peninsula

Councillor Claire Selby Green Greenwich Peninsula

Councillor Jackie Smith Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Greenwich Builds and Estate Regeneration Labour and Co-operative Woolwich Arsenal

Topics

Councillor Jit Ranabhat Councillor Anthony Okereke Greenwich Council flash floods Nepalese community Mayor David Gardner missing persons devastating floods loss of life