India offers to support Nepal to deal with disaster

Kathmandu - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi  has  assured  full support to Nepal in  relief and recovery efforts to deal with disaster.

“The loss of lives and damage caused by heavy rains in Nepal is distressing. We stand with the people and government of Nepal in this difficult time,” Prime Minister Modi said in a message posted on social media platform X on Sunday. “As a friendly neighbour and first responder, India remains committed to providing any assistance that may be required.”

The statement comes as monsoon-induced floods and landslides have caused widespread devastation across several provinces of Nepal.

At least 37 people were killed due to landslides caused due to incessant rains  in the eastern district of Ilam, reports said.

Major highways across the country have been blocked due to the flood and landslides, authorities said.

Meanwhile, four individuals from Bhaktapur district have been reported missing while trekking in Langtang region. A group of 16 individuals from Bhaktapur had arrived in Langtang for trekking on Friday.

Rajesh Panthi, the Chief District Officer of Rasuwa, said that among the 16 individuals, four went missing when they were swept away by the floods in Bering Khola, located in Gaunpalika-4 Gosainkunda. 

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had warned that heavy rain across the country could trigger floods and landslides across the country, but some astrologers posted on social media refuting such forecasts.

“This may have given false impressions to some (Nepali) trekkers,” said Energy, Physical Infrastructure and Transport Minister Kulman Ghising.

An astrologer, based in Kathmandu, deleted his posts after reports of missing trekkers were published.