Floods wipe out local governments’ ability to lead rescue, relief
Summary
Catastrophic flooding in the Bhotekoshi river has wiped out local government offices in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, leaving elected representatives, employees and records missing or displaced. Rescue and relief efforts have been crippled by destroyed roads, bridges, electricity and telephone networks, with hundreds still unaccounted for.
Key Points
- Local governments in Rasuwa and Nuwakot have been overwhelmed after floods destroyed offices, records and communication links.
- Officials in Gosaikunda and Uttargaya rural municipalities said elected representatives, employees and residents are missing or out of contact.
- Bidur Municipality reported damage in 10 wards and said it is now shifting from rescue to relief and rehabilitation.
- The disaster has exposed major weaknesses in local disaster response capacity as federal and provincial support is sought.
