'Unimaginable' disaster leaves Nepal reeling, thousands missing: PM

KATHMANDU: Nepal is grappling with a devastating disaster that has left hundreds dead, Prime Minister Balendra Shah has declared. The catastrophic floods, triggered by a massive influx of ice, rocks, and debris, have claimed at least 797 lives in Nepal and Tibet. Prime Minister Shah expressed the magnitude of the tragedy in a social media post, stating that Nepal is facing an unimaginable and heartbreaking natural calamity.

The floods, caused by the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, have posed significant challenges in determining the exact loss of life, property, and infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the government remains committed to safeguarding its citizens. So far, 3,048 people are reported missing, including many tourists and pilgrims headed to Tibet's sacred Mount Kailash.

Balendra Shah, a 36-year-old rapper-turned-politician, faces the daunting task of rebuilding communities and critical infrastructure. Nepal's economy is already under strain, with limited resources to cope with such a large-scale disaster. The catastrophe occurred just before the anniversary of the mass anti-corruption protests on September 8-9 last year, which led to the ousting of the previous government.

Shah's party had won the March elections on a platform of change. He assured his citizens that through unity and collective efforts, they will overcome this crisis.