When the Home Minister becomes a rescuer, who leads the disaster response?

Nepal’s disaster response is facing growing questions over command and coordination after Home Minister Sudan Gurung personally joined the search for missing people inside a tunnel in the Trishuli area, despite the Home Ministry’s broader responsibility for coordinating the country’s disaster response.

Under the Government of Nepal (Allocation of Business) Rules, 2026, the Home Minister is responsible for disaster-related functions including the development and dissemination of early warning systems, national disaster management policy and regulation, relief and rehabilitation of displaced people, and the operation of the national disaster fund.