KATHMANDU: The government continued search, rescue and relief operations on the 10th day of the devastating Bhotekoshi flood that struck Nepal on August 26, causing widespread loss of life, displacement and damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower projects and other critical infrastructure in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other downstream areas.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government is maintaining close coordination with domestic agencies as well as neighbouring countries and international partners to strengthen search, rescue and relief efforts.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal have received telephone calls from their counterparts and other dignitaries from around the world, who have expressed condolences, solidarity and support to Nepal and its people. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also spoke with Prime Minister Shah by telephone on Friday morning.
The government is mobilising all available resources for the ongoing response. The Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have been fully deployed alongside disaster-management authorities, provincial and local governments and other concerned agencies, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri.
Rescue operations continue at hydropower tunnels
Search and rescue operations are continuing for people believed to be trapped inside tunnels at the Langtang, Chilime, Upper Trishuli 1, Upper Trishuli 3A and Upper Trishuli 3B hydropower projects, among others.
Tunnel rescue teams from India, China and the Republic of Korea are working in coordination with the Nepali Army. Equipment including drones, load carriers and other rescue materials received from neighbouring and friendly countries and the international community is being deployed in the operations.
Two workers trapped inside the Upper Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project tunnel were rescued alive on Friday morning.
More than 13,000 people rescued
According to the latest figures reported by concerned agencies, 13,093 people have been rescued so far, including more than 300 foreign nationals.
However, around 5,083 people remain missing, including approximately 600 foreign nationals from 35 countries. A total of 1,287 bodies have been recovered from the affected areas.
Authorities are continuing efforts to restore road, electricity and telecommunications connectivity in affected areas and ensure the timely distribution of relief materials. Additional supplies and assistance from international partners, organisations and individuals are also being mobilised.
The government has requested additional equipment and supplies, including high-capacity drones, LiDAR systems, Bailey bridges, epidemic-prevention materials, DNA testing kits, human-remains bags, flood rescue trucks, mobile air-traffic-control systems, ground-penetrating radar, high-accuracy laser meters, broadband seismometers, high-capacity surge pumps and laboratory freezers.
Nepal seeks continued international support
The Ministry said Nepal is using all available resources but acknowledged that the scale and complexity of the disaster require continued international solidarity and support.
The government expressed gratitude to India, China, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Qatar, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Australia, Germany, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Norway, Israel, Canada, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand, Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland and the Czech Republic, as well as the European Union, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations and other friendly countries and organisations, for their timely support.
The ministry has also been conducting regular briefings for the diplomatic community and domestic and international media to provide updates on the search, rescue and relief operations and foreign assistance.
Nepal remains open to international travellers
The government has reiterated that Nepal remains open to international travellers and tourists, noting that the floods have affected specific areas of the country rather than the country as a whole.
Authorities have begun the temporary burial of recovered bodies after completing necessary forensic procedures, with the aim of facilitating subsequent identification and the return of mortal remains to families for final rites.
Family members of missing people have been urged to contact Nepal Police Hospital in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, or the nearest District Police Office. Those residing abroad may have their DNA profiles prepared in their country of residence and send them to [email protected]. The relevant countries have already been informed through diplomatic channels.
Forensic teams from India, China, Singapore and South Korea are working with Nepal Police and other concerned authorities to accelerate the collection, analysis and identification of DNA
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