Prime Minister Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah formally addressed the Nepali Parliament, expressing deep gratitude to India, China, and the United States for delivering swift emergency assistance, medical supplies, and specialized rescue teams following the catastrophic flash floods triggered by a massive ice-rock avalanche along the Bhotkoshi River.
Key Highlights of the Address and Ongoing Crisis
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Casualty and Missing Updates: Prime Minister Shah reported that the death toll has climbed past 1,100, with thousands remaining unaccounted for across severely impacted districts like Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading. Search and rescue operations remain heavily active.
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Neighboring Aid Efforts:
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India deployed multiple Indian Air Force sorties carrying essential cargo—including blankets, solar lamps, water purification units, medicines, and heavy-duty tarpaulins—alongside specialized engineering and forensic rescue personnel.
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China mobilized cross-border recovery efforts on the Tibet side and rapidly cleared blockages to reopen the critical Gyirong border crossing access route, allowing heavy machinery to reach isolated zones.
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Climate Change and International Diplomacy: Highlighting the disaster as a severe consequence of global climate shifts, Kathmandu has launched a broader diplomatic push seeking international monetary backing, framing post-disaster aid as a matter of global moral responsibility rather than traditional charity.
