KATHMANDU, Sep 2: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday told the House of Representatives that the country must confront the devastation caused by the Bhotekoshi floods with “determination and courage”, as rescue and relief operations continue across the affected areas.
Flash floods triggered by the collapse or avalanche of ice and rock near the Nepal-Tibet border on August 26 devastated several towns and villages in northern and central Nepal. The disaster has claimed more than 1,100 lives, while over 4,800 people remain missing.
“In this hour of crisis, we have accepted the reality that the country’s leadership must provide courage, support and reassurance, not tears,” Shah said, according to The Kathmandu Post.
He said the disaster had severely affected Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, describing it as “a shared blow to the heart of the entire country”.
“We have no alternative but to fight with determination and courage, and we are fighting,” the Prime Minister said.
Shah said security agencies had been deployed for rescue and relief operations, while local authorities were urging residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations.
Army helicopters are being used for rescue and evacuation, while private helicopters have also been kept on standby if required.
The government has approved financial assistance for the families of those killed in the floods, while the affected areas have been declared crisis-hit for three months.
Shah said free medical treatment was being provided to the injured, while food and shelter were being arranged for people displaced by the disaster.
Local and provincial authorities are also working together to restore electricity, water supply and transport connectivity in the affected areas, he said.
According to Nepal Police, 348 bodies have been recovered from Chitwan, 217 from Nawalparasi East, 190 from Nawalparasi West and 155 from Nuwakot.
A further 66 bodies were recovered from Gorkha, 59 from Dhading, 45 from Rasuwa and 38 from Tanahu.
