KATHMANDU, August 27: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming has said the devastating flooding in the Rasuwagadhi-Kerung border area may have been triggered by an avalanche and subsequent landslide following an earthquake in Nepal.
In an interview with Nepal Television World, Ambassador Zhang said preliminary information indicated that an earthquake struck Nepal in the morning, followed by avalanches and landslides that caused extensive damage on both the Nepali and Chinese sides of the Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi border area.
Expressing sorrow over the loss of life caused by the disaster, Zhang said China was ready to support Nepal and provide necessary assistance during the difficult time.
According to Zhang, Chinese President Xi Jinping is closely monitoring the situation and has instructed authorities to prioritize the search and rescue of missing people.
Flood victims benefit from Chinese-funded recovery program
Xi has also directed authorities to immediately relocate vulnerable people, provide prompt treatment to the injured and minimize casualties, Zhang said. He added that China was emphasizing continuous monitoring and stronger early warning systems to prevent further risks and ensure that rescue operations are carried out effectively.
The ambassador said the Chinese Embassy in Nepal had activated its emergency response mechanism and was collecting information on Chinese citizens and businesses in the affected areas.
He said the embassy had urged the Nepali government and relevant agencies to give high priority to rescue operations and was sending a task force to the affected area to assist with rescue and coordination efforts.
Noting that the Chinese side of the Rasuwagadhi border had also suffered significant damage, Zhang said China had begun preparations to provide emergency supplies and financial assistance to Nepal.
According to him, Zhang Guoqing, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China and vice premier of the State Council, had reached Tibet with officials from relevant ministries and was leading rescue and disaster management efforts.
Zhang praised the rescue and disaster management efforts being undertaken by the Nepali government and relevant agencies. He also commended the resilience of the Nepali people in coping with the disaster.
Zhang said Nepal and China should draw lessons from the disaster and strengthen cooperation in disaster risk reduction and emergency management.
He called for more effective information-sharing on meteorological, hydrological and geological hazards, as well as stronger monitoring and early warning systems.
He said the two countries should establish a mechanism for the immediate exchange of information on cross-border disasters to ensure early detection, timely warnings and rapid responses.
Zhang also called for stronger communication and institutional cooperation between the two countries during emergency rescue operations, along with greater cooperation in personnel training, technology exchange and emergency supplies management.
Highlighting that Nepal and China are close neighbors connected by mountains and rivers, Zhang said China was ready to provide assistance and support to Nepal to the best of its ability whenever needed.
