Top leaders express concern over flood, visit affected areas

Top leaders from various parties have expressed sorrow over the flood that hit the Budhigandaki river in Gorkha on Sunday morning, urging rescue and relief efforts. Some leaders have also reached the affected areas.

Ujyalo Nepal Party chairman and former minister Kulman Ghising inspected the damage caused by the flood after reaching Arughat. Former prime minister and Nepal Socialist Party leader Dr Baburam Bhattarai is set to visit the affected areas along with Gandaki Province Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Drinking Water Phanindra Devkota.

Ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party chairman Rabi Lamichhane has directed party cadres to coordinate with government bodies on rescue of those affected. He said he was devastated by news of extensive damage in the Chumnubri area and the washing away of the Nyakchet-Philim bridge.

Congress former president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba urged residents of riverside areas to stay in safe locations. Former prime minister Jhal Nath Khanal appealed to central and local administration and security agencies to use full force to immediately move at-risk citizens to safe places.

Dr Shashank Koirala, coordinator of the organizing preparation committee for Congress's 15th general convention, urged citizens along the Budhigandaki and Trishuli banks to exercise high alert, and asked party leaders and cadres to be active in rescue and humanitarian assistance.

The flood, carrying debris, occurred after the Budhigandaki river was blocked in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-3.