Bhotekoshi floods: Nepal PM urges courage as death toll tops 1,100

Prime Minister Balendra Shah told Parliament Nepal must confront the Bhotekoshi flood disaster with courage and resolve. His remarks underscored the scale of the loss and the urgency of rescue, relief and restoration.

In Short

• Ice and rock collapse near Tibet border triggered the catastrophic flooding
• Towns and villages across northern and central Nepal suffered widespread destruction
• Security forces and army helicopters are leading rescue and evacuation operations

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday told the House of Representatives that the country needs "determination and courage" to deal with the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi floods. The floods, triggered by a collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26, have devastated towns and villages in northern and central Nepal.

More than 1,100 people have been killed and over 4,800 remain missing, according to the figures cited in the briefing. Shah said the disaster was not limited to the three districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, but was "a shared blow to the heart of the entire country".

"In this hour of crisis, we have accepted the reality that the country's leadership must provide courage, support and reassurance, not tears," The Kathmandu Post quoted Shah as saying. He added, "We have no alternative but to fight with determination and courage, and we are fighting."

Speaking about rescue and relief work, Shah said security agencies have been deployed in the affected areas and local authorities have asked people to move to safer places. He said army helicopters are involved in rescue and evacuation operations, while private helicopters are on standby if needed.

The prime minister said the government has approved financial assistance for the families of the victims and has declared the affected areas crisis-hit for three months. He also said the injured are being given free medical treatment, while food and shelter are being arranged for people displaced by the floods.

Shah told the House that local and provincial authorities are working together to restore electricity, water supply and transport links. According to Nepal Police, 348 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan, 217 from Nawalparasi East, 190 from Nawalparasi West, 155 from Nuwakot, 66 from Gorkha, 59 from Dhading, 45 from Rasuwa and 38 from Tanahu so far.

The briefing in the House highlighted the scale of the Bhotekoshi flood disaster, the heavy loss of life and the ongoing efforts by the government and security agencies to carry out rescue, relief and restoration work across the affected areas.

With PTI Inputs

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