Balendra Shah, popularly known as “Balen”, is a Nepalese politician, structural engineer, and former rapper who rose to prominence after being elected the Mayor of Kathmandu in 2022. Born on April 27, 1990, in Kathmandu, Shah first gained recognition in Nepal’s hip-hop scene, where his politically charged rap songs often criticised corruption, inequality, and poor governance. His music resonated strongly with younger audiences and helped build his public profile before entering politics.
In the 2022 local elections, Shah contested as an independent candidate and won the mayoral race in Kathmandu, becoming the first independent leader to hold the post. His campaign focused on urban reforms such as improving waste management, traffic control, transparency in municipal governance, and anti-corruption measures.
During his tenure, Shah implemented several urban enforcement drives, including the demolition of illegal structures and efforts to reclaim public land. While some initiatives were praised for addressing long-standing civic issues, others attracted criticism for their strict approach.
Shah resigned as mayor in January 2026 and joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party, signalling a shift toward national politics and positioning himself as a prominent emerging figure in Nepal’s political landscape.
A catastrophic flash flood triggered by a massive ice and rock avalanche in the high Himalayan region has caused widespread devastation across Nepal, leaving over 350 people dead and hundreds missing near the Nepal-China border.
Severe flash floods and landslides triggered by an ice and rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border have caused widespread devastation across Nepal, impacting regions including Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Chitwan, and Trishuli.
A massive flash flood in Nepal has killed at least 95 people and left more than 400 foreign nationals missing, including 133 Indian tourists, after the disaster struck the Kerung border customs office near the Nepal-China border. The key route used by Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims was swept by raging floodwaters, with 77 Indian pilgrims associated with the Isha Foundation among those reportedly missing. More than 50 of the missing Indian tourists are from Tamil Nadu. The floods also swept away the Langtang Khola hydropower project in Rasuwa district, leaving around 60 employees missing, besides destroying motorable bridges and inundating parts of the Trishuli region. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah, conveyed condolences and offered India’s full humanitarian assistance. An IAF C-130J Super Hercules aircraft carrying 10 tonnes of relief material has been sent to Kathmandu, while a C-17 Globemaster remains on standby. Rescue operations are being hampered by difficult terrain, mud, sludge and adverse weather.
A massive flash flood triggered by landslides and seismic activity has caused widespread devastation across Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Bhote Koshi regions, sweeping away villages, bridges and critical infrastructure. The disaster destroyed the Kerung border customs office, Langtang Khola Hydropower project and around 40 km of the road connecting Kathmandu with Rasuwagadhi. Authorities have reported 95 deaths, while more than 400 people remain missing, including around 60 hydropower project employees. More than 130 Indian tourists on the Mansarovar Yatra and 80 people linked to the Isha Foundation, including 77 Kailash pilgrims and three volunteers, are also untraceable following flooding at Gyirong and Timure. Prime Minister Balen Shah has mobilised the Army, police and other security forces for rescue operations. India has sent 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid through an IAF C-130J aircraft. In India, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are closely monitoring river levels, with NDRF and SDRF teams deployed in Maharajganj, Kushinagar, West Champaran and Gopalganj.
Devastating flash floods triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) along the Nepal-Tibet border near Rasuwagadhi have inundated the Bhote Koshi River, causing widespread destruction across Nepal.
A devastating flash flood triggered by suspected ice avalanches, rockslides, or seismic activity near the Tibet-Nepal border has left at least 55 people dead and hundreds missing in Nepal. The surge of water battered the Rusuwa district, destroying infrastructure, hydro-power stations, roads, and sweeping away the Chinese customs office at the Kerung border—a key transit route for Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrims. Over 100 Indian tourists and pilgrims are reported missing, including 77 individuals associated with Sadhguru's Isha Foundation who were at the ill-fated immigration office when the flood struck. Communication lines and electricity have been severed across the region. In response, the Nepalese Army has deployed 15 helicopters for air evacuations, while India has prepared C-17 and C-130J aircraft carrying relief material and rescue personnel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah, expressing condolences and offering full support. Meanwhile, spiritual leader Sadhguru confirmed he is personally in the region to coordinate assistance efforts.
A total of 133 Indian tourists were reported missing in Nepal following flash floods triggered by a magnitude 4.4 earthquake and an avalanche near the Nepal-China border in Rasuwagadhi.
Catastrophic flash floods in Nepal have caused widespread destruction across mountainous districts including Nuwakot, Chitwan, Dhading, and Rasuwa. The flooding damaged 11 hydroelectric power stations and severed regional power and communication networks. Nepalese authorities deployed over 1,000 troops and 15 military helicopters for search and rescue operations. Hundreds of people are affected, with more than 384 foreign tourists missing, including over 100 Indian nationals. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran wrote to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to request the evacuation of missing tourists from Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Nepalese Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to offer humanitarian assistance. The Indian Air Force prepared C-17 Globemaster and C-130J transport aircraft carrying National Disaster Response Force personnel, earth-moving machinery, medical teams, and relief supplies. Downstream, Indian border states Bihar and Uttar Pradesh issued high flood alerts. Authorities in Bihar opened all 36 gates of the Valmiki Nagar Gandak Barrage to manage massive water inflows from Nepal.
Devastating flash floods in Nepal have left at least 55 people dead, with fatalities expected to rise as hundreds remain missing. The Nepal Army has deployed 15 helicopters for ongoing rescue operations on a war footing. Among those unaccounted for are over 103 Indian tourists trapped in the affected areas. Nepal Police released rescue images and urged citizens via social media to assist one another and refrain from spreading rumors. India's Prime Minister has reached out to his Nepalese counterpart, Balen Shah, extending full support, assistance, and solidarity during the crisis.
A tragic flood situation in Nepal has led to the recovery of 22 dead bodies, as confirmed by official statements from the Nepal government. Rescue and relief operations are currently underway, with survivors receiving emergency medical treatment ordered by the Nepal government through the Ministry of Health and Food Safety. The Nepalese Army and government officials have been deployed for relief operations. India has extended full support to Nepal during this crisis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Nepalese counterpart, Prime Minister Balen Shah, promising all possible aid. Two Indian Air Force aircraft are prepared to dispatch the first tranche of relief materials, including heavy earthmover machinery, tarpaulins, medical assistance, and disaster relief teams. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu have set up a control room and issued helpline numbers to assist affected individuals and locate missing family members.
India has expressed its intent to extend all possible assistance to disaster-hit Nepal. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah, assuring that India remains on standby to help during this natural calamity. The Indian Mission in Kathmandu and the Ministry of External Affairs are coordinating with Nepalese authorities. Relief materials, including medicines, food items, and fabricated sheets, are being prepared for dispatch. The Indian Air Force aircraft, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) teams are on high alert to assist with rescue and relief operations as hundreds of people, including over 108 Indians, remain missing in the affected region.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Nepalese Prime Minister Balen Shah to express condolences following fatal flash floods in Nepal that left eight people dead and 33 security personnel missing. PM Modi assured that India stands in solidarity with Nepal and is prepared to extend all possible humanitarian assistance, rescue support, and relief materials as required. Government sources confirmed New Delhi is in close contact with Kathmandu and is actively monitoring the situation across the border. The report highlights that the tragedy in the neighboring country could impact border states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, as well as Indian tourists, residents, and workers in the region.
In this edition of Statecraft hosted by Geeta Mohan, key global developments are highlighted. In Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, deadly protests in Rawalakot over governance and political representation left at least 37 people dead after security forces opened fire, prompting international scrutiny and challenging Islamabad's narrative. Meanwhile, communal violence erupted in Nepal's Sunsari district during the Bal Bamb procession, leading to curfews across parts of the Madhes region under Prime Minister Balen Shah's government. Globally, US President Donald Trump announced that the newly formed Board of Peace reached an agreement for the complete disarmament of Hamas in Gaza. Additional reports cover prospective visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin to India for the September BRICS summit, a proposed $100,000 post-graduation work fee for foreign students in the US, an Amnesty International report regarding Indian arms exports to Israel, and the historical significance of the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline in West Asian energy strategy.
The US-Iran conflict has escalated, with Iranian cruise missiles striking two UAE oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in the death of one Indian sailor and injuries to six other Indian nationals.
US-Iran tensions escalate as President Donald Trump reinstates a naval blockade on Iran, leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This geopolitical conflict has triggered a global supply chain crisis, with China halting its helium exports.
Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balen Shah has hit the ground running. Within hours of taking oath, his government launched raids, arrested top leaders including former PM KP Sharma Oli, and rolled out a sweeping 100-point agenda.
Nepal’s new Prime Minister Balendra Shah has often taken sharp positions against India
Following the political churn that led to the resignation of K. P. Sharma Oli in 2025, the 35-year-old Balen Shah is now set to lead Nepal.
Former Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah has resigned his post, launched his campaign in Janakpur speaking in Maithili.
Ahead of Nepal’s 2026 elections, two PM hopefuls — Kathmandu’s rapper-mayor Balen Shah and Dharan’s social worker Harka Sampang — are invoking Yalambar.
