Nepal's government is cracking down on online abuse directed at survivors of deadly floods that struck last month, after people appealing for information about missing relatives or criticising the pace of search and rescue efforts were met with hostile and insulting comments. Prime Minister Balendra Shah said those who "belittle" suffering people or add to their pain at such a sensitive time are "criminals" and would face no leniency, while police say they are tracing the origin of abusive comments to identify those responsible. The move matters because it highlights how disaster survivors can face a secondary wave of harm through online harassment, and raises questions about balancing free speech with protection from abuse.

Cases cited include a woman whose brother has been missing for two weeks and who received "many nasty comments" after criticising slow rescue efforts, and a young woman whose viral video questioning the search for her missing husband drew cruel responses, including one telling her to "jump into the river". Police have set up a 10-member committee to investigate the comments, and offenders could face up to five years in jail and fines of up to 100,000 rupees (£490) under the Electronic Transactions Act. Dovan Rai of digital rights group Body & Data suggested some abuse stems from "rage baiting" for engagement, while other comments come from government supporters, further polarising online debate.