KATHMANDU: CPN-UML leader Ram Kumari Jhakri has raised serious questions over the government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah regarding the Bhotekoshi flood and the rescue operation for people trapped inside the tunnel of the Chilime Hydropower Project.
In a lengthy social media post, Jhakri questioned the government’s delay, weaknesses in information dissemination and coordination of rescue efforts, asking who would take responsibility for the human losses caused by the disasters.
Jhakri said she was someone who had joined the movement for change prepared to take a bullet to the chest, adding that she was not concerned about abuses directed at her on social media. She said although she had remained silent for some time for various reasons, the situation had now compelled her to speak out clearly.
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Shah, Jhakri accused his supporters of blindly defending the government and the prime minister and attempting to place them above criticism.
Regarding the Bhotekoshi flood, she claimed the scale of loss of life and property could have been reduced if the government had issued timely warnings. According to her, although information about the impending flood had been received at 8:45 am, adequate information and coordination did not take place in time, resulting in devastating losses.
“The disaster could not have been completely avoided, but the situation would not have been this devastating if there had been timely information and coordination,” she wrote.
Jhakri also accused the government of delaying the rescue of people trapped inside the Chilime Hydropower Project tunnel. She said the rescue operation should have been accelerated by seeking foreign assistance if Nepal lacked the necessary technology, claiming that the delay had increased the human toll.
She remarked that continued delays in rescue efforts would ultimately result in a situation where rescuers were recovering bodies instead of saving lives.
Expressing anger at the government, Jhakri wrote: “Let’s start speaking now, who is the killer?”
Jhakri also referred to attacks and violent behaviour by supporters against those criticising Prime Minister Shah. She claimed that after she commented on journalist Prakash Subedi’s programme that the prime minister could one day face difficulties because of his own supporters, attempts were made to set fire to her house while her family was inside.
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