Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has said that the government should not hesitate to seek foreign assistance if necessary, stating that domestic expertise alone appears insufficient for the ongoing rescue operation in hydropower tunnels.
Speaking at a discussion with party office-bearers, Central Working Committee members and stakeholders at the party office in Sanepa on Sunday, Thapa said he had already urged the foreign minister to seek external assistance for the tunnel rescue operation.
“After coming to know that it would not be possible to carry out the tunnel rescue with domestic expertise alone, I contacted the foreign minister and urged him to seek assistance from other countries,” he said.
Stating that it is normal to seek assistance from neighboring and other countries during disasters, Thapa said all available resources and means should be mobilized to make the rescue operation effective.
The meeting decided to extend full support to the government in dealing with the disaster caused by floods, landslides and inundation across the country and to draw its attention to shortcomings in rescue and relief operations.
“Pointing out gaps and weaknesses in the government’s work is not criticism; it is support,” he said.
Thapa also urged the federal government to coordinate effectively with local governments.
“Disaster management cannot be effective by bypassing local governments,” he said.
