PM Shah updates flood response operations as rescue, relief, and road restoration efforts continue
KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has provided an update on search, rescue, relief distribution and rehabilitation operations following the flash floods.
In a social media post on Friday evening, Shah said 4,451 survivors have been rescued, including 191 people pulled from a tunnel. He said 16 helicopters from the Nepal Army and private operators have been mobilised to run shuttle flights to Dhunche, Trishuli, Timure, Syafrubesi and other areas, and that 99 air flights have been conducted so far.
Special arrangements are in place for the search, rescue and identification of foreign nationals. Shah said 129 foreign tourists and citizens have been rescued and identified, and that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up an Emergency Control Room to coordinate with embassies and families.
Rasuwa district, which was cut off by the catastrophic flash flood on 26 August, has been reconnected to the road network. The Bogatitar–Kalikasthan–Dhunche route has been restored, with access operating via Kathmandu–Tokha–Chhahare–Gadkhar Bridge–APPRA–Narja–Lachyang–Sarmathali–Patikharka. One-way traffic has also begun on the Kathmandu–Mugling road.
“Formal initiatives have been made to receive 10 Bailey bridges of 70 metres in length from India and China so that it would help restore road connectivity soon,” Shah said.
An assessment of damage is under way. Sectoral groups and 15 technical teams are evaluating roads, bridges, electricity, drinking water, telecommunications, hydropower and other infrastructure. Arrangements have been made for drinking water, fuel and sanitation.
Authorities issued early warnings and continued monitoring amid the risk of fresh flooding in the Bhotekoshi and lower basin. People in risky locations were urged to move to safe places, and SMS alerts were circulated to more than 200,000 people.
Shah rejected media reports that the government had declined foreign assistance, calling such reports misleading. He said coordination with India, China and international partners continues for necessary assistance and materials for rescue and relief, while noting that air safety, geographic access and actual needs guide helicopter mobilisation.
He also updated the status of medical services, saying doctors have been mobilised and injured people airlifted to various health facilities for treatment.
Telecommunications and power restoration efforts are ongoing. So far, 82 of 120 NTC sites and 63 of 78 Ncell sites have resumed service. Technical and energy resources are being deployed to other areas. Electricity has been restored to about 90% of Nuwakot, and Dhunche is expected to have power soon. Of 198 affected towers and sites, 145 are back in operation.
Safe shelter and relocation for survivors are being prioritised, with identification of suitable sites and measures to reconnect settlements cut off by road damage.
The government has provided Rs 67.5 million to 15 local levels for immediate relief, rescue and essential works. Shah said more than Rs 1.9 billion has been collected in the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund in the past 36 hours.
All security agencies are working in close coordination to support the disaster response.
(With inputs from RSS)
