KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress and CPN (Maoist Centre) have expressed deep sorrow over the destruction caused by the massive flood in the Bhotekoshi River and urged the government and their party members to respond promptly and effectively to the disaster.

Nepali Congress, through a statement issued by its Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel on Tuesday, called the incident in which 15 people, including three police personnel, went missing “deeply tragic.”

The party highlighted the extensive damage, including the sweeping away of containers and other vehicles near the Nepal–China Miteri Bridge and the customs area, resulting in losses worth crores.

Congress also drew attention to Nepal’s recurring struggle with floods and landslides during the monsoon, and referenced the severe disaster of September last year. It urged all three levels of government to remain alert and adopt a well-coordinated disaster preparedness and response plan.

Similarly, former Prime Minister and CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ issued a statement through social media expressing grief over the loss and directing all party leaders and cadres to actively participate in rescue and relief work.

“The flood in the Bhotekoshi River has severely damaged critical infrastructure, including the Nepal–China Miteri Bridge,” he wrote. Prachanda demanded that the government swiftly and effectively mobilize all available mechanisms for rescue, relief, and search operations.

He also noted that meteorologists have forecast above-average rainfall this monsoon and emphasized the need for the government to take concrete disaster risk reduction measures.

Prachanda appealed to all government agencies, political parties, civil society organizations, and citizens to unite and respond collectively during this time of national crisis.