Prime Minister Balendra Shah vows “courage and resolve” as government faces mounting pressure over Bhotekoshi flood

“This is not only the suffering of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. It is a shared blow to the heart of the entire country,” Prime Minister Balendra Shah told Nepal’s House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Briefing parliament on the Bhotekoshi flood disaster, Shah said the government had no choice but to confront the destruction with “courage and resolve.” He said national leaders had to provide support and reassurance during a crisis rather than be overwhelmed by grief. “In this hour of crisis, we have accepted the reality that the country’s leadership must provide courage, support and reassurance, not tears,” he said. “We have no alternative but to fight with determination and courage, and we are fighting.”

“

This is not only the suffering of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. It is a shared blow to the heart of the entire country.

Shah said the response began after the first reports arrived. Security agencies were briefed and deployed, while local authorities urged residents to move to safer areas. People living along riverbanks later received text alerts as the flood threat increased. Nepali Army helicopters began search, rescue and evacuation missions, and private helicopters remained on standby.

“

In this hour of crisis, we have accepted the reality that the country’s leadership must provide courage, support and reassurance, not tears.

The cabinet ordered authorities to speed up search, rescue and relief work. It declared affected municipalities crisis-hit areas for three months and approved financial assistance for families of those killed. The government also authorised helicopter evacuations, free medical treatment, and food and shelter for displaced people. Authorities were coordinating to restore electricity, transport links and water supplies, while 100 beds were reserved for flood victims at the National Trauma Centre.

The floods followed an ice-rock avalanche and badly damaged settlements and hydropower projects in Rasuwa and neighbouring districts. Nepal Police said the death toll had risen to 1,127, including bodies recovered from several districts and neighbouring India. As of 5 a.m., 45 bodies had been recovered in Rasuwa, where the flooding began. Rescue operations continued amid pressure to reach people believed trapped at hydropower sites.

“

We have no alternative but to fight with determination and courage, and we are fighting.