KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah has said the entire state machinery has been mobilized to carry out immediate rescue and relief operations for people affected by the floods.
In a social media post on Thursday, Shah said the government was making every possible effort to accelerate rescue and relief operations amid the unprecedented disaster facing the country. He added that the government, Nepalis living at home and abroad, and the international community would have to work together to overcome the crisis.
“Rescue flights began at 6:30 this morning. More than 15 flights have been conducted so far, while additional helicopters have been kept on standby,” Shah said.
He said a Nepal Army rescue operation conducted Thursday morning successfully evacuated 95 people from Timure in Rasuwa and a tunnel in Haku, including 21 Indian nationals and seven Nepali nationals.
The Prime Minister said efforts were also underway to rapidly transport essential relief supplies to the affected areas. Generators, portable mobile towers, medical supplies, tents, and equipment for cutting iron and stone are among the materials being sent along with other necessities.
According to Shah, drone surveys to collect information from the affected areas are nearing completion. The data gathered through the surveys will help authorities plan and conduct rescue and relief operations more effectively.
Shah said priority would be given to sick and vulnerable people, including the elderly, women and children, during helicopter evacuations.
“We request everyone to remain patient, wait for rescue and relief, and face this disaster together,” he said.
“We will all have to confront this disaster together with hope and faith,” Shah added.
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