Congress president Thapa urges cadres to join flood rescue, government's attention drawn

Nepali Congress president Gagan Thapa has urged party leaders and cadres to be active in rescue and relief in the area affected by flooding in the Budhigandaki river.

The flood that came on Sunday morning caused damage in the Nyakchet area of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-3 in Gorkha. The flood swept away the bridge connecting Nyakchet-Philim and Dhading-Gorkha. An old suspension bridge connecting Nyakchet to Sirdibas was also washed away.

President Thapa expressed sorrow over the incident through social media. He requested residents of riverside settlements from Budhigandaki down to the Trishuli river to exercise high alert and stay in safe locations, and also urged them to follow instructions given by local administration.

Thapa asked leaders and cadres returning home after the party's general convention to return safely, and asked friends near the affected areas to join rescue efforts immediately. He also cautioned cadres to stay safe themselves while working in the disaster-affected area.

Meanwhile, Congress issued a formal statement drawing the government's attention to the damage caused by the flood. In the statement issued by the party's acting chief secretary Krishna Prasad Dulal, the government was asked to speed up rescue work. The statement urged citizens in the lower riverside areas to remain safe, and said all sides must unite to face the disaster.