6 days ago
Nepal Floods Kill At Least 165 as Tharoor Backs Relief
A sudden and powerful flood hit northern Nepal near the Tibet border.
Water, mud and rocks rushed through towns and valleys.
Reports said at least 165 people died.
The number of missing people was unclear, with reports giving figures from nearly 1,500 to 2,000 or more.
Many Indian tourists were also reported to be affected.
The flood destroyed bridges and part of a highway.
It also badly damaged eight hydropower projects.
Rescue teams are searching for missing people and helping survivors.
Shashi Tharoor said he learned about the disaster after reaching Kathmandu and supported India’s promise of aid.
Some people criticized his use of the word “drama” to describe the catastrophe.
Flash floods struck northern Nepal’s Rasuwa district near the Tibet border, affecting areas along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers.
At least 165 people were reported dead, while missing-person estimates ranged from nearly 1,500 to around 2,000 or more.
The floods destroyed at least 19 motorable bridges, washed away about 40 kilometers of highway and heavily damaged eight hydropower projects.
Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal said nearly 300 Indian tourists were among thousands reported missing; about 100 Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims were also cited as affected.
Authorities began search-and-rescue operations, delivered emergency supplies and used helicopters to move people to safety, while Tharoor supported India’s relief pledge.
- Who
- Residents and visitors in northern Nepal were affected, including Indian tourists; Nepalese authorities led relief efforts, while Congress MP Shashi Tharoor commented on the disaster.
- What
- A severe flash flood caused deaths, disappearances and extensive damage to infrastructure and hydropower projects.
- Where
- Nepal’s Rasuwa district and other affected areas near the Tibet border, including locations along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers and the Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi highway.
- When
- The floods struck on Wednesday; Tharoor arrived in Kathmandu on August 26 and posted about the disaster on August 27.
- Why
- The articles say mud and rock collapsed into a Himalayan river, triggering the flooding. Tharoor said experts suggested global warming and/or an earthquake in Tibet may have caused a glacier section to break away.
Critics of Tharoor’s wording
Tharoor’s stated intent
Use of “drama”
Critics of Tharoor’s wording
Online critics said the word was insensitive when referring to a disaster involving deaths, destruction and mass displacement.
Tharoor’s stated intent
Tharoor’s post also expressed sympathy for victims and their families, prayed for those missing and supported relief assistance for Nepal.
Awareness of the disaster
Critics of Tharoor’s wording
Critics focused on Tharoor’s statement that he was “blissfully unaware” of the floods when he travelled to Kathmandu.
Tharoor’s stated intent
Tharoor said he learned about the scale of the disaster after arriving and then highlighted the casualties, infrastructure damage and affected Indian tourists.
Reported missing-person toll
Critics of Tharoor’s wording
Some reports cited nearly 1,500 people missing across Nepal and Tibet.
Tharoor’s stated intent
Tharoor cited an estimate of around 2,000 or more missing, showing that the scale of the disappearances remained uncertain.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- At least 165 people; Tharoor initially cited a toll of 160.
- Missing people
- Reports differed, citing nearly 1,500 missing across Nepal and Tibet or around 2,000 or more estimated missing.
- Affected districts
- The floods caused havoc across three districts, according to the reports.
- Bridge damage
- At least 19 motorable bridges were destroyed.
- Highway damage
- About 40 kilometers of the Betrawati-Rasuwagadhi highway were washed away.
- Hydropower damage
- Eight operational hydropower projects were heavily damaged.
- Relief response
- Authorities conducted search-and-rescue operations, supplied emergency aid and used helicopters to transport affected people.
Quotes
Shashi Tharoor
Indian Congress leader and Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha member
“My heart goes out to the victims and their loved ones, who include large numbers of Indian tourists, including a hundred performing the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra.”
livemint.com
thestatesman.com
deccanchronicle.com
“Took off for Kathmandu yesterday, blissfully unaware of the drama that had taken place in the hills and caused such catastrophic damage.”
livemint.com
thestatesman.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
‘Blissfully unaware’: In Kathmandu, Shashi Tharoor expresses concern as death toll in Nepal flood hits 160+
Shashi Tharoor was in Kathmandu when Nepal flood unfolded, his ‘blissfully unaware of the drama’ remark draws fire
Tharoor, in Kathmandu, Airs Concern over Nepal Floods, Backs India's Relief Aid
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