KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that reconstruction of structures damaged by the recent flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa will begin soon.
Speaking at a meeting of the Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee under the National Assembly on Sunday at Singha Durbar, Minister Lekhak said the current focus remains on the search and rescue operations for the missing, but reconstruction will begin shortly.
He informed that search, rescue, and relief efforts will continue for ten days, after which reconstruction and rehabilitation will be prioritized.
The Home Minister stated that relief will be provided to the families of those killed in the disaster in accordance with legal provisions. According to him, 20 people are reported missing from the Nepali side and 11 from the Chinese side of the border.
Minister Lekhak also claimed that Nepal’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has made early warning systems more effective and that the government is fully prepared for disaster risk mitigation.
Dinesh Prasad Bhatt, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, said that the flood severed Nepal’s connection with China and caused extensive damage to the customs area. He added that all three security forces were deployed for rescue operations.
Bhatt said the Chinese side is taking care of 91 Nepali nationals stranded in China, while foreign nationals stuck in Nepal have already been brought to Kathmandu. He also confirmed that 11 bodies have been recovered and at least 17 people remain missing.
Committee members emphasized the need to equip local governments with resources and responsibilities for disaster risk reduction.
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