Today I spoke in Parliament to acknowledge the tragedy and devastation we woke up to this morning of what is being called an Inland Tsunami that has struck Nepal and Tibet.
The situation is still evolving, and we don't yet know the full extent of the tragedy, but reports indicate 34 Australians are among the missing as the projected death toll reaches 160.
Red Cross said "entire villages and market areas" had been wiped out by the flooding.
The scale of the devastation is difficult to comprehend, with communities, homes, roads and critical infrastructure swept away.
The Nepalese community is the fastest growing multicultural community in the Territory.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jinson Charls has spoken to Trilochan Sapkota, President of the Non Resident Nepalese Association and Namrata Kandel, acting President of the Nepalese Association of the Northern Territory, to offer condolences and any support from the NT Government.
Currently the Nepal cricket team is here in Darwin as part of the Top End Series T20 cricket tournament and we have spoken with Cricket NT who will be holding a minute's silence before each game today.
Nepal is scheduled to play at Gardens Oval at 1pm today.
We will continue to support all of the players, team officials and local community through what is a terrible time of uncertainty and grief for them.
The Nepalese Association of the Northern Territory & Non Resident Nepalese Association NT also have the Janai Purnima event tomorrow from 8am - 12pm at Jingili Park.
On behalf of Territorians, we acknowledge the tragic loss of life and livelihoods resulting from this natural disaster and as the aftermath becomes clearer, we stand shoulder to shoulder with our local Nepalese and Tibetan communities and will provide all support as necessary.
