Kathmandu : The Members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have expressed grief over the loss of a significant number of lives and property from the devastating flood along the Nepal-China border in Rasuwa on Tuesday night. They urged the government to pursue diplomatic measures to address the growing risk of such disasters arising from transboundary situations.     

Several lawmakers expressed concerns about the ‘risk of mountain outbursts’ in various parts of China and urged the government to establish an information-sharing system and diplomatic cooperation. They echoed the need for timely measures to reduce potential losses.     

Lawmakers Rajendra Bajgain, Madhav Prasad Sapkota, and Sher Bahadur Kunwar were among those alarmed by the damage caused by the Lhende Stream (which later merges with the Bhotekoshi River) along the Nepal-China border in Rasuwagadhi. They also called on the government to intensify search and rescue efforts for the missing persons.     

Narayan Prasad Acharya drew the House’s attention to a fatal accident on the Siddhartha Highway, where a rock fell on a motorcycle en route to Palpa from Butwal. The incident resulted in one death and one injury. He urged the government to take preventive measures to avoid such accidents in the future.     

Narayan Prakash Saud raised the issue of a shortage of agricultural fertilisers and seeds in the country, where 62 per cent of the population depends on farming. He advised the government to take steps to establish a fertiliser industry within the country.     

Ranendra Baraili talked about the protest by gold and silver dealers following the announcement of a luxury tax on these metals, seeking to settle the issue through talks. He said that consumers are now burdened with a 43 per cent additional cost, which includes customs duty, luxury tax, making charges, and dealer profit.     

Shanti BK denied the allegation that some Nepalis who had been part of the Prime Minister’s delegation to the UN event in Spain recently did not return. (RSS)