Nepal-Tibet Flash Floods: Dalai Lama Offers Prayers, Urges Action To Prevent Future Disasters

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the devastating floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa region and Kyirong in Tibet. He said the disaster caused loss of life and extensive structural damage.

The Nobel Peace Laureate offered prayers for those who died and conveyed sympathy to bereaved families and others affected by the tragedy. He called for appropriate follow-up measures to reduce the risk of similar disasters.

Dalai Lama noted that the region had faced calamities in the past. He said the repeated disasters could indicate a deeper underlying cause, including climate change or other factors.

A massive flood originating in Tibet swept through the transboundary Bhote Koshi River and caused widespread destruction in Nepal.

Nepal Police said they had recovered 162 bodies swept away by the flash flood by Thursday morning.

Rescue teams found the remains along riverbanks across several downstream districts connected to the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.

The affected districts include Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan, Gorkha, Tanahu, Nawalparasi East and Nawalparasi West.

Authorities recovered most of the bodies in Chitwan, located in Nepal’s southern plains.

The Nepali government said hundreds of people, including foreign nationals, remained unaccounted for following the disaster.

The Prime Minister’s Office reported that 44 Nepal Army personnel, 28 Nepal Police personnel and 13 Armed Police Force personnel working in affected areas remained out of contact.

The authorities reported 391 missing foreign tourists and 93 Nepali tourists.

Officials confirmed that 133 Indians remained missing.

Dalai Lama said authorities should take suitable measures wherever possible to prevent such catastrophes from recurring.

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