Search, rescue, relief operations continue across areas devastated by Bhotekoshi flood

KATHMANDU: Search, rescue and relief operations are continuing across areas affected by the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood, with authorities working to locate missing people, recover bodies and restore essential infrastructure.

The disaster caused extensive loss of life and property and displaced many people in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Chitwan and Dhading districts. Houses, buildings, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructure were damaged.

The government has mobilised available resources for search and rescue, relief distribution and rehabilitation. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force, Nepal (APF Nepal) are leading the response in coordination with provincial and local governments.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with domestic agencies, neighbouring countries and international development partners. Rescue teams from India, China and South Korea are working alongside Nepali security forces, using drones, load carriers and other equipment supplied by foreign governments and international partners.

An 11-member Malaysian disaster assistance and rescue team, equipped with nine high-capacity drones, arrived in Nepal on Saturday, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, security forces and rescue teams have rescued 13,104 people, including more than 300 foreign nationals. The ministry said an estimated 1,000 people remained missing, including around 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries. Authorities have recovered 1,341 bodies from flood-affected areas.

At present, work is underway to restore roads, electricity and telecommunications and deliver relief to affected communities. Nepali Army engineers are constructing a temporary bridge over the Tadi River to reopen the Galchhi-Trishuli road. Two ropeways have also begun operating at Trishuli Indrenighat and Devighat.

A preliminary Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment found that 32,933 people from 7,570 households had been affected. The flood damaged 48 government offices, 55 kilometres of roads, 37 motorable bridges and 68 suspension bridges.

Around 1,806 hectares of farmland, 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant and two transmission lines were also affected. Hydropower projects with an estimated combined capacity of 783 megawatts were disrupted.

A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment is being conducted to establish the full extent of the damage and estimate reconstruction and recovery costs.

Authorities have begun temporarily managing recovered bodies after completing the required forensic procedures. Forensic teams from India, China, Japan, Singapore and South Korea are assisting Nepal Police and other agencies with DNA profiling, analysis and identification.

The ministry has facilitated 26 flights carrying relief supplies and rescue teams from foreign countries and international organisations. It is also coordinating with Chinese authorities to help affected Nepali citizens return home.

As of Saturday, 431 Nepalis had returned through the Tatopani border, while another 105 were expected to cross on Sunday, the ministry said.

Deputy Chief of Protocol Prem Raj Gautam has been deployed to the operations centre in the affected area to coordinate assistance for foreign nationals.

By RSS