Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Nepal Home Minister’s Tunnel Rescue Role Draws Disaster-Response Scrutiny
A flood in Nepal caused people to go missing near Bhotekoshi.
Rescue teams went into tunnels to search for them.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung joined the workers and helped directly.
Some people praised him for showing courage and getting involved.
Others say his main job is to coordinate disaster help across the whole country.
They worry that another emergency might not receive enough attention while he is at one site.
Some relief supplies have reportedly not reached affected families.
Nepal’s Armed Police Force has trained rescuers but needs more equipment.
The debate is about whether a national leader should work directly at the rescue or manage the larger response from a command center.
Home Minister Sudan Gurung has personally joined the search for missing people inside tunnels at the Bhotekoshi disaster site.
Nepal’s regulations give the Home Minister central responsibility for disaster policy, coordination, relief and rehabilitation.
Critics question whether Gurung’s presence at one rescue site is diverting attention from wider national disaster coordination.
Relief supplies have reportedly accumulated in Trishuli while some disaster victims in Rasuwa have struggled to receive aid.
The Armed Police Force has trained rescue personnel but reportedly lacks sufficient equipment, drones, human detectors and helicopters.
- Who
- Nepal Home Minister Sudan Gurung, rescue teams, security agencies and disaster-affected communities.
- What
- A flood-related tunnel search for missing people has prompted questions about the Home Minister’s hands-on role and Nepal’s wider disaster coordination.
- When
- Gurung went to Bhotekoshi last Friday and has remained there in recent days.
- Where
- The main rescue operation is at Bhotekoshi in Rasuwa, while relief supplies have reportedly piled up in Trishuli.
- Why
- Critics say the Home Minister is responsible for coordinating national disaster response, while some relief and equipment needs remain unresolved.
Critics and Disaster Experts
Supporters of Gurung’s Approach
Where the minister should work
Critics and Disaster Experts
The Home Minister should coordinate the countrywide disaster response from a command structure rather than spend days working inside one tunnel.
Supporters of Gurung’s Approach
Gurung’s direct participation shows commitment, courage and a willingness to work alongside rescuers at the disaster site.
Wider coordination
Critics and Disaster Experts
His absence from broader coordination could create problems if another disaster occurs, especially while relief reportedly remains undelivered in some areas.
Supporters of Gurung’s Approach
His presence at Bhotekoshi may provide direct oversight of a difficult rescue operation and demonstrate government attention to affected people.
Rescue capacity
Critics and Disaster Experts
The delayed breakthrough and lack of outside assistance, equipment, drones, human detectors and helicopters indicate shortcomings in the response.
Supporters of Gurung’s Approach
The security agencies were mobilised and have trained personnel, while the difficult tunnel search may require time and specialised resources.
- Official role
- Nepal’s regulations assign the Home Minister responsibility for disaster warnings, national policies, relief, rehabilitation and coordination of disaster funds.
- Rescue site
- Bhotekoshi, in Rasuwa, where teams are searching tunnels for missing people.
- Minister’s involvement
- Sudan Gurung went to the site last Friday and has personally taken part in the tunnel search.
- Relief concerns
- Supplies have reportedly piled up in Trishuli while some affected people in Rasuwa have struggled to receive aid.
- Security response
- All three security agencies were mobilised following government instructions.
- Equipment gap
- The Armed Police Force reportedly lacks enough rescue equipment, drones and human detectors, and has repeatedly requested helicopters.
- Early response
- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority initially decided to prioritise rescue, searches for missing people and relief.