KATHMANDU: “‘While working round the clock to manage the losses caused by this disaster, one fundamental question has emerged into our deeper thoughts. What actually caused this disaster?” Prime Minister Balendra Shah wondered.

According to experts, the devastating flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River was triggered by a glacier collapse in the mountainous region. The incident has seriously highlighted the growing risk we are likely to face as a result of climate change, PM Shah said during his parliamentary address today.

On the one hand, we must remain fully aware of and prepared for such risks in the future. On the other, it is it is urgent that we strongly raise our voices before the international community about the climate change consequences we are suffering. The climate change is not a concern of a single nation, and addressing and mitigating its impacts is a shared a responsibility of the global community, according to the PM.

He pledged before the House that search operations for those who are unaccounted for since the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli floods will be continued. The treatment of those injured in the disasters will continue. “As we continue to deal with the consequences of this disaster, several questions have been raised before us.”

In regard with the question that why early warning of disaster was not issued on time, the situation is- this is one of the major catastrophes the human civilization faced. The scale and rapidity of disaster was beyond our prediction. As soon as we became aware of the situation, our security forces were deployed to make the locals aware of it and they also went missing while doing such duty.

Another question is about the management of the dead bodies. Many people were swept away by the floodwaters and mudflows, and their bodies were taken to different locations. The unidentified bodies were managed in accordance with legal and scientific procedures by preserving major evidences including the DNA samples to facilitate their identification for future. They have been respectfully interred.

The remains will be handed to the respective families upon the DNA verification for performing final rites as per the respective religions, cultures and traditions. “I urge you all not to have any doubts regarding this matter,” PM Shah said.

In regard with seeking international cooperation for the rescue efforts, there is no question that international cooperation was not sought in such a disaster.

Since the beginning, we had been cooperating with international community as per the necessity. We attempted to receive international cooperation even by shortening the procedures, he added.

Regarding the search and rescue operations in the tunnels of affected hydropower projects, we have intensified the rescue where the injured ones were found.

We have also launched the helicopter rescue whenever it was possible. The Nepali Army (NA) teams assisted by the international experts have continued the rescue and search operations in the hydropower projects’ tunnels, according to him.

He went on to say that since the disasters struck, we are cooperating with the province government, local government and the people’s representatives.

“We express our gratitude to all security personnel, government employees, members of the Council of Ministers, province and local governments, political parties, people’s representatives, local, and voluntary organizations, citizens, friendly countries, international organizations and all stakeholders who joined the search, rescue, treatment, relief and management of the disaster from the rehabilitation phase to the recovery phase. “We request for your continued support and cooperation in the coming days,” he added.

“The government was with you, is with you today, and will be with you,” the PM concluded.