Nepal floods: Hundreds of unidentified bodies

Kathmandu, Sep 2: Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah has urged the global community to take stronger action against the growing climate-related risks in the Himalayan region in the wake of a devastating flood that has claimed over 1,100 lives. Addressing the National Assembly, Shah highlighted the need to raise awareness about Nepal's struggles with climate change and its catastrophic impact.

At least 1,114 bodies have been recovered from the overflowing Bhotekoshi River, while 3,916 people remain missing or unaccounted for. An avalanche on a tributary blocked the river, leading to a massive surge that devastated numerous settlements downstream. Shah expressed concern over how such a disaster could have occurred and what it signifies for Nepal's future.

He emphasized that the incident serves as a stark warning of the escalating risks posed by climate change in the Himalayan region. The Prime Minister defended the government's response to the disaster, stating that they alerted residents as soon as they received information about the approaching flood. However, some security personnel went missing during the operation.

Despite media reports suggesting reluctance to accept international aid, Shah clarified that the government had been working closely with international partners from the start to seek the necessary assistance. Both Nepal's neighbors, India and China, have already sent technical experts, but the heavy mud and debris made it impossible for them to land initially.

Rescue operations began only after conditions stabilized enough for excavators and helicopters to reach the affected areas. Shah expressed gratitude to numerous countries and international organizations for their support, including India, China, the US, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, Qatar, Switzerland, Singapore, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, as well as the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, European Union, and the United Nations.