Nepal flash floods: The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Mr. Zhang Maoming, is reacting to increasing diplomatic criticism arising after a disastrous flash flood that hit the Gyirong-Rasuwagadhi border corridor. Journalists and watchdogs in Nepal accused China of failure to provide early warning data regarding the impending flood coming from the Tibetan region.
Information gap : According to critics, the lack of advance warning made the disaster more of an ambush to the people in Nepal than a natural disaster. Despite the allegation by Nepalese journalists regarding China’s inability to provide early warning data regarding the impending flood, the Chinese ambassador did not address the issue head-on but rather focused on bilateral cooperation and relief efforts deployed. Commitment to standing together : The Ambassador affirmed the commitment of China in assisting Nepal in recovery and reconstruction efforts. Despite the serious accusations that the Chinese government ignored early warnings of the flooding, the ambassador remained tight-lipped regarding the allegation. With the flood originating from the Tibetan region before crossing over to the international border, timely communication would have reduced death tolls immensely.
