Kathmandu [Nepal], September 3 – Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Achyutam Lamichhane has faced criticism from voters in Nuwakot after visiting his constituency a week after devastating floods hit the area.
Lamichhane elected from Nuwakot Constituency No. 2, told angry voters that his responsibilities as a lawmaker had prevented him from reaching the flood-affected area earlier.
Lamichhane said that although he could not be physically present he had worked from Kathmandu on rescue and relief efforts. “If I were not a lawmaker, I could have come” he said, claiming he had been working from where decisions could be made.
Voters rejected the explanation saying they had expected their elected representative to visit and offer support after the disaster.
They also questioned the government’s response arguing that authorities could have reduced casualties if warnings had been issued promptly after the flood entered Nepal from the Rasuwagadhi area.
When asked how long the flood took to reach Nuwakot, Lamichhane sought information from people accompanying him. He was told it entered from China at around 8:80 am and reached Nuwakot at 9:15 am.
Lamichhane acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the response saying, “There are mistakes.”
