NDRRMC meeting: Search and rescue of missing persons in Rasuwagadhi floods to be made effective

Kathmandu, July 8: The meeting today of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has decided to continue and make the search and rescue work of missing nationals and foreigners in the flash floods that hit Rasuwagadhi, Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-2, Rasuwa, last night more effective.

It has issued directives to the concerned bodies for the same. The meeting held at the Prime Minister’s residence, Baluwatar, under the chair of Prime Minister and Council Chair KP Sharma Oli, took stock of the possible causes of the floods and the details of the damage sustained so far, and thanked the security personnel and local people involved in the search and rescue in a risky situation.

It also expressed heartfelt tributes to those who lost their lives in the accident and extended condolences to the bereaved families. The meeting has decided to coordinate with China through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to operate the Kerung border crossing after the Miteri Bridge over the Bhotekoshi River at Rasuwagadhi, the Nepal-China border transit, was washed away, and road traffic was closed.

The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport has been instructed to make arrangements for the operation of road infrastructure, while a decision was taken to make necessary preparations for the smooth operation of alternative border crossings with China. Similarly, the concerned ministries have been instructed to quickly repair and operate the damaged infrastructure of customs, immigration, and hydropower projects.

The Ministry of Finance has been instructed to facilitate insurance for damage to containers, vehicles, and other assets of the businesspersons. The council meeting has decided that the Ministry of Home Affairs will make arrangements for providing immediate relief to the families of the deceased and missing persons in the incident as per the prevailing law, and the Ministry of Health and Population will make arrangements for free treatment of the injured.

Likewise, it was decided to direct all the concerned bodies to conduct necessary studies to identify the cause of the incident, prepare for future incidents, and coordinate with the concerned bodies of neighbouring China. The concerned bodies have also been directed to remain alert and work on preparedness and response, as more than average rainfall has been forecast for this year.

In the council meeting held immediately after returning from the on-site observation of the damaged area in Rasughadhi, Prime Minister Oli said that an unexpected disaster beyond the forecast and imagination had occurred, and the damage was witnessed.

Prime Minister Oli also shared that he had urged the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal today to help immediately build a Bailey bridge in place of the washed away Miteri Bridge and stressed the need to prepare for the systematic operation of alternative routes, including the Korala checkpoint in Mustang.