Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has said that people affected by the August 26 Bhotekoshi floods are in need of the state’s support and reassurance.
He also urged people to view the grievances and demands of flood victims not as criticism but as indications of the problems that need to be resolved.
In his address to the nation after returning to Kathmandu from an on-site inspection of various flood-affected areas in Rasuwa and Nuwakot on Monday, he said he was confident that the state was working in coordination with all tiers of government, agencies, structures and stakeholders to make rescue, search, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts more effective.
“I have come before the citizens at this difficult and painful moment, when we Nepalis are going through deep grief and suffering. I want to assure everyone that I, too, stand with you in this hour of sorrow,” he said.
“The suffering of citizens who have lost their homes, family members, livelihoods and who have been displaced by this natural disaster is extremely deep. At this time, they need the state’s support and reassurance. I believe the government, political parties and all civil society organisations are working toward that end. I want to assure you that I, too, stand with everyone in this hour of sorrow,” President Paudel said.
Nepal is observing the National Day of Mourning on Monday to pay homage to people who lost their lives in the disaster.
The flood has claimed 1,355 lives as of 11 am on Monday, while nearly 5,000 are missing.
