Seoul, Aug 28 (IANS) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sent messages of sympathy to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Nepali President Ram Chandra Poudel on Friday over the devastating flooding in the Himalayan region, state media said.
More than 500 people were killed, and over 1,500 others remained missing in China and Nepal as of Friday after massive flooding and landslides hit the Himalayan region bordering China on Wednesday, according to foreign media reports, Yonhap News Agency reported.
In his message to Xi, Kim expressed his “deepest condolences” to the Chinese leader, its party and government, people, victims and bereaved families, and expressed hope that the aftermath of the disaster would be cleared as soon as possible and residents in the affected areas would regain peace and stability, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said.
In his message to Poudel, Kim expressed his “sincerest condolence and sympathy” to the Nepali government and people, as well as victims and bereaved families, over the casualties and missing persons, the KCNA said in a separate dispatch.
Meanwhile, Nepali authorities on Friday issued a fresh warning about the risk of another flood, stating that they had received a report of a lake outburst in the Tibetan region of China that could trigger fresh flooding in Nepal.
“Information has been received that the flow of water mixed with debris and mud has increased again on Friday in the same area of the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa, where a major flood occurred on August 26,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said in a notice on Friday.
“As there is a risk of another flood, all personnel engaged in rescue and relief operations along the banks of the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers, as well as those remaining in high-risk areas for various reasons, are strongly urged to exercise the highest level of caution and immediately move to a safe location if any danger is observed.”
Nepal Police also issued a warning, saying they had received a report of a lake outburst in the Tibetan region and urging people and those involved in rescue operations to remain alert to the danger.
–IANS
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