Kathmandu. Rescue and relief efforts for those affected by the devastating and severe flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa district are continuing for the third day.
According to the update released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority at 7 pm on Friday, a total of 4,451 people, including 129 foreigners, have been rescued so far. Of these, 191 people were trapped inside the tunnel of the hydropower project and 517 were rescued through air rescue. For air rescue, 16 helicopters from the Nepal Army and the private sector have flown 99 times.
According to the update released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority at 7 pm on Friday, 579 bodies have been recovered so far due to the floods, while 1,924 people are still missing. After the disaster, security personnel and local administration are carrying out intense search, rescue and relief operations with high alertness.
Bodies have been found in various places as the flood flow and impact has spread from Rasuwa to the lower coastal areas and surrounding districts. A total of 579 bodies have been recovered so far. Bodies of 233 people have been found in Chitwan, 46 in Gorkha, 40 in Dhading, 37 in Nuwakot, 30 in Tanahun, 27 in Nawalparasi West, 154 in Nawalparasi East and 12 in Rasuwa.
A total of 1,924 people, including hydropower project workers, government employees, security personnel, foreign nationals and the general public, are still out of contact due to the floods. According to the NRA, 1,33 people from hydropower projects, 517 foreign tourists, 127 non-resident Nepali citizens, 161 from Rasuwa, 66 from Makwanpur, 45 from Nepal Army, 28 from Nepal Police, 15 from Immigration Office, 15 from Customs Office, 13 from Armed Police Force Nepal, 3 from Langtang National Park and 1 from Nuwakot are out of contact.
A total of 101 people injured in the incident are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. A surgical medical team has also been deployed in the affected areas for effective and speedy treatment of the injured, the authority said.
A total of 15,431 security personnel have been mobilized in the flood-affected areas and search and rescue operations are underway. The Nepal Army has deployed 6,755 personnel, the Armed Police Force (APF) 4,203 and the Nepal Police (4,473).
Food, non-food items and cash assistance have been sent to the flood-affected areas through the Government of Nepal and relief teams. The government has provided Rs 11 crore in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Rs 5 million in Dhading and Rs 67.5 million for 15 municipalities.
So far, 32 truckloads of food and non-food items have been sent to the affected areas. Six flights have been made by helicopters to deliver food supplies to remote areas. Communication sets have been sent to the affected areas to prevent communication from being cut off. Out of the 198 telephone towers damaged by the floods, 144 towers have been restored after repairs.
In order to avoid shortage of fuel in case of disaster, 41,000 liters of diesel and 24,000 liters of petrol have been kept in stock at Bhairavi and Suryamati and Panchakanya Oil Store in Nuwakot. Also, 17,000 liters of aviation fuel has been sent to Nuwakot to continue the air rescue operation.
