Govt continues search and rescue operations on tenth day of devastating Bhotekoshi flood

Kathmandu, Sept 4: The government has said search and rescue operations were continuous on Friday, tenth day of the calamitous Bhotekoshi flood, occurred on August 26.

The floods caused a huge loss of lives, widespread displacement and extensive damage to houses, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical infrastructures in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other districts along the course of the river in Nepal, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Issuing a daily update on the Bhotekoshi flood, the Ministry on Friday stated it continues close coordination both domestically and with our neighbours and international partners for the effective search, rescue and relief operations. Prime Minister Mr Balendra Shah and Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal have received telephone calls from their respective counterparts and other dignitaries from around the world.

They have expressed sympathies and solidarity as well as support to Nepal and Nepali people at this difficult time. The Prime Minister received a telephone call from his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese, on Friday morning, it is said.

The government is learnt to have been utilising all available means and resources at its disposal for search, rescue and relief operations. The Nepal Army, the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force are fully mobilized alongside disaster-management authorities, provincial and local bodies and other relevant agencies, said Ministry’s spokesperson Lok Bahadur Paudel Chhetri.

“The search and rescue operations for those trapped inside the tunnels in Langtang, Chilime, Upper Trisuli 1, Upper Trisuli 3A, Upper Trisuli 3B and other projects continue effectively. Tunnel rescue teams from India, China and Republic of Korea continue to work in coordination with the Nepali Army. Rescue support equipment, drones, load carriers and materials received from neighbours, friendly countries and international community are being used for these operations,” the update read.

300 foreigners rescued

Citing the latest figures as reported by agencies, the Ministry said that 13,093 people have been rescued so far, including over 300 foreigners. Two workers were rescued alive from the tunnel of Trishuli 3A Hydropower Project on Friday morning. However, around 5,083 people still remain missing, including approximately 600 foreigners from 35 countries.

Similarly, 1,287 bodies have been recovered from the areas.

The authorities are actively working on restoring road, electricity and telecommunication connectivity to the affected areas and on ensuring timely delivery of relief materials to the affected people. Additional supplies and assistance, including those coming from international community, partners and individuals are being mobilised effectively, the Ministry argued.

Further requests have been made for high capacity drones, LiDAR (a remote sensing device), bailey bridges, items for epidemic preventions, DNA testing kits, bags for human remains, flood rescue trucks, mobile air traffic control system, ground penetrating radar, high accuracy laser meter, broadband seismometres, high-capacity surge pump, and laboratory freezers, among others.

Nepal has mobilised all resources at its disposal, but we recognise that the scale and complexity of this disaster require continued international solidarity and support. “We are deeply grateful 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, Czech Republic as well as the European Union, Asian Development Bank, World Bank, United Nations and other friendly countries and organisations, for their timely solidarity and support,” said the Ministry.

Furthermore, the Ministry has organised briefings for the diplomatic corps alongside press briefings for domestic and international media outlets to provide updates on the ongoing search, rescue and relief operations, as well as on foreign assistance.

Nepal has emphasized that the country remains open to international travellers and tourists reasoning that only specific parts of the country were affected by the floods.

Authorities have begun the temporary burial of recovered bodies, following necessary forensic procedures, to facilitate subsequent identification and the return of mortal remains to families for final rites. Immediate family members of those missing are requested to contact Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, or the nearest District Police Office in Nepal or get their DNA profiles prepared in their country of residence and send it to [email protected]. The relevant countries have already been informed through diplomatic channels.

Forensic teams from India, China, Singapore and South Korea have joined Nepal Police and other relevant authorities to accelerate DNA collection, analysis and identification efforts of the mortal remains.

The Ministry has also established an Emergency Control Room to coordinate closely with relevant agencies, our diplomatic missions and the families of missing foreign nationals with dedicated hotlines operating from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. (RSS)