New Delhi, August 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
China could have significantly reduced the devastation caused by the flash floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi region had it issued timely and transparent warnings, retired Major General P.K. Sehgal said on Friday.
Speaking to IANS, Sehgal said the absence of early warnings had worsened the impact of the disaster. He also claimed that extensive construction activity in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region had disturbed the local environment.
“There is absolutely no doubt that China could have significantly mitigated the damage caused due to the catastrophe in Nepal, had it issued timely and transparent early warnings — which it failed to provide,” Sehgal said.
He further claimed that people in Nepal were blaming China on social media over the environmental impact of large-scale construction. According to the retired Army officer, Chinese engineers had cautioned against extensive construction, including dams, river-diversion projects, tunnelling and new roads, in fragile areas.
He alleged that such concerns raised by Chinese engineers and decision-makers were ultimately disregarded.
Sehgal also criticised the Nepal government for what he described as silence over China’s role, alleging that Kathmandu was reluctant to speak out while receiving equipment and financial assistance from Beijing.
The floods, believed to have been triggered by an avalanche on a transboundary river between Nepal and China upstream of the Bhote Koshi River, swept away settlements, roads, hydropower projects and transmission infrastructure downstream.
Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said 469 bodies had been recovered from various districts. Chitwan recorded the highest number at 178, followed by Nawalparasi East with 110. Gorkha reported 44 deaths, Nuwakot 37, Tanahun 28, Nawalparasi West 27, Dhading 23 and Rasuwa 12.
The authority said 977 people remained out of contact, including 517 foreign nationals. The United States said around 90 Americans may have been affected, while China reported that nearly 100 Chinese nationals remained missing on the Nepali side following Wednesday’s mudslide.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar received 21 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu at Delhi airport after they were rescued and brought back from Kathmandu.
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