KATHMANDU: Ujyalo Nepal Party Chair and former head of the Chilime Hydropower Project Kulman Ghising said he provided technical advice and assistance to the Nepali Army during efforts to rescue employees trapped at the Chilime Hydropower Centre following the Bhotekoshi flood.
Ghising said the rescue operation was made difficult by the remote terrain, challenges in transporting heavy equipment by helicopter, extensive damage caused by the flood and the blockage of the power house’s main access tunnel.
“Having been technically and administratively involved with the Chilime Hydropower Centre in the past, I was familiar with its structures and condition. I therefore provided the Nepali Army with necessary technical advice and assistance during the rescue operation,” he said.
Ghising said that after travelling to Dhunche, the headquarters of Rasuwa, to assess the situation in the affected areas following the flood, he also drew the attention of concerned authorities to the need to intensify rescue operations at hydropower projects including Rasuwagadhi, Chilime and Upper Trishuli-1.
He said he also urged Prime Minister Balendra Shah to make search, rescue and relief efforts more effective and informed him that he was ready to provide necessary assistance.
Ghising said that during a disaster, the priority should be protecting the lives of affected citizens, conducting prompt search and rescue operations and effectively mobilising all state mechanisms rather than focusing on individual roles.
He paid tribute to the employees who lost their lives at the Chilime Hydropower Centre during the disaster.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Nepali Army, a team of experts from the Indian Army, Nepal Police, Chilime company management and employees, and all other rescue workers and individuals involved in the search and rescue operation.
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