Kathmandu [Nepal], September 3 – Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has urged the government to make rescuing people trapped inside tunnels following the Bhotekoshi floods its top priority.
Speaking after inspecting flood-affected villages in Nuwakot, Thapa said the suffering of families waiting for their loved ones was severe and the government should use every available option to rescue those trapped.
Thapa said Nepal had been slow to seek external assistance when it was needed for rescue operations.
“A mistake has already been made. We should not make another mistake by covering it up,” he said in a video message posted on Facebook on Thursday.
He also called for equal priority to be given to searching for missing people and managing recovered bodies in flood-hit areas.
Thapa praised local representatives for working under difficult conditions and said the federal government should take the lead during the initial phase of disasters.
He urged federal, provincial and local governments to clearly define their roles from immediate rescue and relief to reconstruction.
Thapa also stressed that relief must be based on local needs, including drinking water, temporary toilets, medicines, sanitation supplies and shelter. He called for special attention to pregnant women, elderly people, children and those with chronic illnesses.
He said the state should assure families who lost homes, land and businesses that arrangements for housing and livelihoods would be made during rehabilitation and reconstruction.
