KATHMANDU: Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timilsina has cancelled his scheduled visit to Seoul, South Korea, to attend the Global ICT Leadership Forum. The Cabinet had approved the minister’s visit on Aug. 19, 2026, and he was scheduled to attend the event from September 30 to October 9.
The minister decided to call off the trip in response to the widespread loss of life and property caused by floods, landslides, and continuous rainfall across the country. A major flood in the Bhote Koshi River on August 26 caused significant damage in districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and Chitwan. Furthermore, persistent rainfall between September 24 and September 27 triggered additional incidents of flooding and landslides in various parts of the nation.
The disasters have damaged critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, power grids, and communication systems. Rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts are currently underway in the affected regions. With telecommunications and internet services disrupted, the government has identified restoring and maintaining effective communication as a critical priority to facilitate rescue operations and coordination.
According to the ministry, Dr. Timilsina has prioritized domestic disaster management and the restoration of communication services over his international engagement. The Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has requested the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to inform the event organizers about the cancellation.
