Nepal FM says China-shared data aids mudslides disaster response

Satellite and other monitoring data shared by China following the devastating mudslides are supporting Nepal's ongoing disaster response and helping authorities track further risks that could cause additional damage, Nepali Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal has said.

"China has almost provided Nepal with real-time information so that we remain alert for potential future disaster," Khanal told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

China expressed support for Nepal at different levels immediately after the disaster, Khanal said, adding that as Nepal's needs emerged, the country requested relief supplies and technical assistance from China, and the Chinese side responded positively.

"We are extremely grateful for the very proactive support that the government of China has given to us at this point," he said.

The Chinese government has provided Nepal with emergency cash and humanitarian assistance, delivered three batches of relief supplies to Kathmandu, and dispatched tunnel rescue and DNA identification experts to support the country's relief efforts.

"So the government of China has been providing us with all the support," said Khanal.

Khanal said rescue operations remained extremely difficult since roads and bridges leading to the affected region had been severely damaged, leaving some areas completely inaccessible by land.

"Our people who are active on the rescue have struggled, but are still persevering to rescue people," he said.

Hundreds of Nepali citizens who were on the Chinese side of the border for trade or tourism had been identified and properly accommodated by Chinese authorities, Khanal said, adding that Nepal stood ready to assist Chinese citizens affected on the Nepali side.

"We always say our two countries are connected by mountains and rivers," Khanal said, adding that a disaster affecting both sides of the border showed how closely the two countries were connected.

"This disaster tells us that our destinies are intertwined," Khanal said.

Khanal called for stronger Nepal-China cooperation in studying, preserving and restoring the Himalayan ecosystem and in preparing for similar risks in the future.

He expressed hope that Nepal and China would jointly call on countries around the world to address the challenges posed by rising temperatures and climate change, as well as their impact on the ecosystem shared by the two countries.

"The Himalayan ecosystem is our shared future," he said, calling on the two countries to strengthen regional and global cooperation to help preserve the civilizational heritage.