Former PM Dahal Criticizes Government's Disaster Response

Dhanusha. Nepali Communist Party coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the government's failure to seek help from experts and foreign technicians in time has led to the loss of many lives. Speaking to journalists in Janakpur, Dahal mentioned that the disaster in the Rasuwa, Bhotekoshi, and Trishuli areas was not a normal flood but a form of a great Himalayan catastrophe. He stated that the damage caused by the disaster has shocked Nepal and the global community. Dahal claimed that if rescue efforts had been initiated within the first four to five days by mobilizing experts, more lives could have been saved. He accused the government of displaying arrogance by saying 'We will do it ourselves' even when foreign experts offered assistance. He clarified that since people were found alive even after 10-11 days, more could have been saved if expert help had been sought in time. Dahal commented that the government's style of functioning appeared arrogant and arbitrary, and that such behavior has made it unable to handle serious matters. Expressing concern over the significant loss of life and property due to the disaster, he appealed to the people of Madhesh to help in relief, rescue, and rehabilitation. He stated that the tradition of hills and Madhesh supporting each other would play an important role in national unity and the psychological rehabilitation of the victims. Speaking about the impact of climate change in the Himalayan region, Dahal emphasized the need to effectively raise the issues of 'Climate Justice' and 'Loss and Damage' in international forums. He said that developed countries with high carbon emissions should help affected countries like Nepal. Speaking to journalists, he said, 'The country's political situation is currently complex and uncertain. The effects of the political instability seen after August 23 and 24 are still present. Serious effects of climate change are visible in this. Therefore, Nepal must raise the issue of climate justice in international forums.' Appealing to the people of Madhesh for help, he said, 'Let Madhesh help in this disaster that has befallen the hills. Our tradition of hills and Madhesh supporting each other will further strengthen national unity.' Regarding the government's ineffective rescue efforts, he said, 'If we had taken the help of domestic and foreign experts from the beginning, more lives could have been saved.' He stated that the government should prioritize the search for the missing and relief in a serious and public-responsible manner, rather than with arrogance. He concluded that avalanches and glacial lake outbursts are not just challenges for one country but shared challenges for all of humanity.