Kathmandu, Sept. 2 -- Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Wednesday defended the government's response to the Bhotekoshi floods, telling Parliament that authorities acted as soon as they received information about the disaster and had coordinated with provincial and local governments from the outset.

Shah's statement came as the government faces growing criticism over its handling of the August 26 floods, which killed and displaced people and caused extensive damage across Rasuwa and downstream districts.

Addressing the House of Representatives, Shah responded to five questions that have emerged over the government's rescue, relief and recovery efforts.

The first concerned why government agencies had failed to provide a timely warning to d...