KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah (Balen) has appealed to social organizations, businesses, volunteers and the general public to support the government’s ongoing search, rescue and relief operations for victims of the Bhotekoshi floods.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, Shah urged everyone to stand together in the face of the disaster and contribute to relief and rescue efforts from their respective places.
“In times of such a disaster, we should all stand together. I sincerely request all social organizations, industrialists and businessmen, youth volunteers and common citizens to extend their hands and support the government’s relief and rescue operations from their respective places,” he wrote.
Shah assured flood-affected people that the government would take full responsibility for their rescue, medical treatment, food and shelter.
“Dear sisters and brothers in the flood-affected areas, the pain and loss you have suffered is not small. But I want to assure you—you are not alone in this difficult time. The state is with you with all its means and resources,” he wrote.
He said the government would prioritize the reconstruction of roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure and drinking water projects damaged by the floods to restore normal life. He also pledged to relocate displaced families to safe locations.
In his message, Shah expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives caused by the sudden flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on Wednesday morning.
He said the disaster had shocked the entire country and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to those who lost their homes and property.
According to Shah, the government mobilized all available forces and mechanisms immediately after receiving news of the disaster and launched large-scale search and rescue operations.
He said the government would continue to mobilize all necessary resources to rescue those affected and provide relief and assistance to communities facing the consequences of the floods.
Immediately after the floods, an emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority was convened. This was followed by meetings of the National Council and the Council of Ministers, where important decisions were taken to intensify search, rescue and relief operations.
Teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police were promptly deployed to the flood-affected areas to save lives and search for survivors.
So far, security personnel have rescued more than 250 people using Nepal Army helicopters. The injured among those rescued have been airlifted to Kathmandu, where they have begun receiving treatment.
These are extremely sensitive and challenging times. Saving the lives of the injured, searching for missing people and ensuring the safety of affected communities remain the government’s top priorities.
To facilitate free and accessible treatment, 100 beds have been reserved for injured flood victims at Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Center in Kathmandu. Other major hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley have also been placed on standby to provide treatment if required.
The government has deployed medical teams to the affected areas to rescue injured people and provide immediate medical assistance. A team comprising doctors and other health workers from the National Trauma Center, along with personnel from various security agencies, has also been dispatched to the affected areas.
Similarly, Nepal Scouts, the World Health Organization and other organizations have mobilized doctors, rescue personnel and essential medical supplies to support the emergency response.
Continuous coordination is being maintained with the Blood Transfusion Center, the health ministries of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, the Nepal Red Cross Society, Lions Clubs and Nepal Scouts to ensure adequate supplies of emergency medical services, medicines and blood.
The government is also coordinating with local authorities and federal lawmakers from the affected districts to provide necessary assistance. Efforts are continuing to gather updated information on the injured and assess the overall impact of the disaster.
The government will continue all possible efforts to protect citizens and help restore normal life. Search operations for people missing in the floods will be intensified, while detailed information on the injured and the extent of damage will be collected. Search and rescue operations will continue throughout the night.
Several areas have been particularly affected by the floods, including Bidur in Nuwakot; Uttargaya and Gosainkunda in Rasuwa; Gajuri, Galchhi, Benighat, Tripurasundari and Siddhalekh in Dhading; and Shaheed Lakhan and Gandaki rural municipalities in Gorkha.
Food, clean drinking water, medicines and temporary shelter will be provided immediately to affected families in these areas.
The government will prioritize the reconstruction of roads, bridges, electricity infrastructure and drinking water projects damaged by the floods and work to restore normal life. Displaced families will also be relocated and resettled in safe locations.
Dear sisters and brothers in the flood-affected areas, the pain and loss you have suffered is immense. But I want to assure you that you are not alone during this difficult time. The state stands with you with all its available resources and capacity.
I urge you to remain patient. The government takes full responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelter.
In the face of such a disaster, we must all stand together. I sincerely appeal to social organizations, industrialists, businesspeople, youth volunteers and ordinary citizens to extend their support and contribute to the government’s ongoing search, rescue and relief efforts from wherever they are.
Let us work together to help our suffering brothers and sisters return to normal life.
Comment