KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 9

Nepal Police has urged the public not to circulate "false and baseless" claims on social media alleging that security agencies, including the Nepal Army and police, took relief materials meant for flood victims but failed to distribute them.

The warning comes after devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers caused loss of lives and property in several districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.

According to Nepal Police, personnel from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been continuously deployed in search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations following the floods.

The police said security personnel have been involved in rescuing stranded and affected citizens, searching for missing people, providing medical assistance to the injured, managing recovered bodies and distributing relief materials.

"Recent social media posts alleging that the Army and police took relief materials and did not distribute them, or that the materials were allowed to deteriorate, are false and baseless," Nepal Police said in a press statement.

Nepal Police also clarified that it does not have any relief materials stored in its possession.

It said the circulation of unverified allegations during a disaster could adversely affect the morale of security personnel deployed in rescue and relief operations, create distrust among the public towards security agencies and hamper sensitive disaster-management efforts.

Nepal Police urged the public and all concerned not to disseminate rumours or unverified information that could create confusion or undermine the morale of security personnel working in affected areas.

Security personnel, the police said, remain committed to protecting lives, conducting search and rescue operations and providing humanitarian assistance during disasters.