Rapper-Turned Youngest Prime Minister Calls for Unity Over Nepal Floods... Faces Major Test of Crisis Response

Nepalese Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 35, a former rapper and the youngest prime minister in the country's history, has appealed for unity as massive floods cause heavy casualties.

Prime Minister Balendra, who led his party to victory in general elections following large-scale Gen Z anti-government protests last year and took office as prime minister in March, now faces a critical test of his crisis management capabilities amid this major disaster.

According to agencies such as AFP on the 27th, local time, Prime Minister Balendra emphasized in a statement posted on social media the previous day, "The pain and loss you have experienced are by no means small," adding, "I want to assure you that you are not alone in this difficult time."

He added, "The state will mobilize all means and resources to stand by you," and asked citizens to "please exercise patience."

Prime Minister Balendra also appealed, "The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, medical treatment, food, and shelter," urging that "when such a disaster strikes, we must all join forces."

Due to floods that occurred in areas around the Bagmati Province in northern Nepal yesterday morning, 177 people have died and 826 remain missing, including about 640 foreign nationals, as of this afternoon.

In Gyirong County, Xigaze, in China's Tibet Autonomous Region near the Nepalese border, a landslide believed to be linked to the cause of these floods also occurred, resulting in 3 deaths and 558 missing.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences during a phone call with Prime Minister Balendra the previous day and offered to support rescue operations.

Prime Minister Modi stated, "During this difficult time, the people of India stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Nepal," adding, "India is ready to provide all possible humanitarian assistance to Nepal."

Prime Minister Balendra, known as a famous former rapper, ran for mayor of Kathmandu in 2022 and caused an upset by winning with the strong support of the younger generation.

After then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned following large-scale protests led by Gen Z youth in September of last year, Balendra led his party to victory in the general elections held in March of this year, becoming the country's youngest prime minister ever.

During last year's protests, 77 people were killed and about 2,000 injured due to a harsh police crackdown in Nepal, while buildings including the Prime Minister's Office and Parliament were burned, causing property damage estimated at approximately 809.1 billion won.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.