Nepali journalist slams alleged Chinese role in flash flood deaths; says Beijing 'failed to...'

A Nepali journalist on Wednesday wrote a cryptic post attacking China for "undermining" Nepal in a way that caused at least 9 deaths and hundreds more to go missing.

According to Parshuram Kaphle, a journalist in foreign and strategic affairs, China had allegedly failed in its duty to provide an early warning for the devastating flash floods in Nepal, which led to massive destruction.

Referring to China as the "northern neighbour", he suggests how an early warning from Beijing's disaster detection systems could at least have led to mass evacuations in Nepal, which may have saved more lives.

Notably, the crisis began after a sudden, massive surge of water entered the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers from the Tibetan side, with at least 105 Indians among the 291 foreigners missing.

"We have continually faced crises originating from their territory, while we continue to address all their concerns, necessary or unnecessary," he added, questioning why Nepal was forced to pay the "price of one-sided love".

Chinese news agency Xinhua, however, claimed that the the landslide began in Nepal at around 9 AM on Wednesday, from where it had struck Tibet’s Gyirong county. Soldiers and personnel from the paramilitary force People’s Armed Police have arrived at the scene to carry out emergency rescue and disaster relief operations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for strengthening monitoring and early warning systems, as well as proper rescue operations that accounted for possible secondary disasters as well.

Meanwhile, amid ongoing rescue operations in Nepal on a war footing by the Nepal Army, the bodies of at least 22 people have been recovered so far, as per a PTI report. 29 people have also been rescued so far and are being receiving medical treatment at army-built medical camps and hospitals.