New Delhi, Aug 27 : Barely five months into his tenure, Nepal’s Prime Minister Balendra “Balen” Shah is facing his most formidable test of governance after a catastrophic flash flood tore through three districts bordering Tibet.
Shah personally visited Nuwakot to assess the devastation. At the same time, Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal, speaking at the NDTV World Anviksha Summit in Kathmandu, outlined the Prime Minister’s leadership style and crisis response.
Khanal portrayed Shah as a results-driven leader, impatient for swift outcomes and determined to make public services accessible without bureaucratic hurdles. “He wants results, and he wants them fast. He’s very focused on deliverables,” Khanal said, adding that Shah trusts his ministers, delegates responsibility, and expects tangible achievements rather than micromanagement.
The floods have claimed at least 162 lives, with over 500 people still missing, among them nearly 300 Indian nationals, many of whom were pilgrims on the Mansarovar Yatra. Khanal stressed that Nepal is working closely with foreign embassies to ensure the safety of international travellers, affirming that the government is as committed to foreign nationals as it is to Nepali citizens. He also thanked India for its rapid relief assistance.
Shah has assured the public that the government is mobilising every available resource for rescue and relief. In a social media update, he detailed coordination between national agencies, NGOs and international partners to provide immediate aid.
This dual narrative, of a devastating natural disaster and a Prime Minister intent on proving his action-oriented governance, captures both the urgency of Nepal’s present crisis and the defining traits of Shah’s early leadership.
Nepal PM Balen Shah faces test as flash floods kill 162
