PM Shah updates on all-out efforts for rescue and relief works

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has updated governments’ all-out efforts on disaster response- rescue, search and relief works in the wake of Bhotekoshi flash flood.

PM Shah reminded that the government was concentrated on saving the lives of citizens, searching for the missing persons, rescuing the needy ones, treating the injured, and providing prompt relief to the survivors.

Providing safe shelter and quick restoration of damaged infrastructures are utmost priorities, PM Shah added. Taking to social media, PM Shah informed that all government mechanisms were mobilized to full strength.

There will be no shortage of resources and equipment for rescue and relief works, he said, “We are working untiringly. In this hour of crisis, the government is with the affected citizens. All state machineries remain on the filed/affected area until the rescue and relief works are over,” PM vowed.

PM Shah reminded that he himself reached Nuwakot on Thursday and observed the situation in the flood-hit areas. He directly collected the information from the affected citizens, local people’s representatives, security persons, health workers and all those deployed in rescue and relief works.

“The situation is still challenging. However, all state apparatuses are functioning in full capacity,” he said, adding that total 13,295 security persons were mobilized representing the Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Police.

Coordination and monitoring is continued through the Joint Operation Team of the Nepal Army, the ‘Rapid Action Teams’ of the National Disaster Reduction and Risk Management Authority and of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM).

“Rescue operations are conducted both by air and land. Total 351 persons were rescued in 69 air flights on Thursday, while additional helicopters are standby. Even the private helicopters are mobilized for rescue and relief under the government command and coordination system. Priority has been given to the sick, pregnant and postpartum women, children, senior citizens, and people living with disabilities in the air rescue,” the PM stated.

He has also shared the information relocation of citizens and security personnel stranded in the affected areas including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading to safe places. Temporary accommodation has been managed in schools and public/community buildings for prompt settlement of about 3,500 people.

Necessary budgets have been assured in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading for prompt relief to the affected citizens. Relief materials (10 trucks) of noodles, biscuits, sleeping bags, mattresses and blankets are dispatched, and additional food and non-food items are being transported to the affected areas by helicopter.

Arrangement of temporary relief camps in the affected areas along with food, drinking water and essential basic services are in place. This is further supported with the mobilization of Nepal Red Cross, Nepal Scouts, Lions Club and other voluntary organizations. Red Cross has sent relief materials to the affected areas to reach about 30,000 people.

Moreover, the health facilities in the Kathmandu Valley such as Bir Hospital, Trauma Centre, Teaching Hospital, Civil Hospital, Patan Hospital and Police Hospital are working round the clock to provide the service for the airlifted injured persons. Adequate emergency beds are prepared in these hospitals.

Medical teams, medicines, ambulances and blood transfusion services are also managed accordingly. The head of government also informed all about the supply system of necessary relief and rescue materials, including generators, portable mobile towers, batteries, health supplies, tents and iron/stone cutting machinery.

Restoration of telecommunication services is urgent need, so technical teams are mobilized to restore the damaged infrastructures at the earliest. Free communication facilities are provided to the affected citizens.

“Government has given utmost priority to the immediate restoration of essential infrastructures including roads, bridges, drinking water, electricity and telecommunications. So, concerned ministries and departments are directed to promptly mobilize the necessary workforce, equipment and resources to assess the damage and restore the damaged structures,” he added. There are adequate arrangements to prevent fuel shortage in the affected areas.

The PM also stated that drone surveys and on-site assessments were being conducted to collect accurate details of the situation and damages in the flood-hit areas. It helps make rescue and relief efforts more precise and effective.

The citizens on the riverside areas have been urged to adopt high alertness in view of the potential additional risks. Possible landslides and other risks are being monitored continuously. Continuous coordination and communications have been set up at federal, provincial, local levels, security agencies, health institutions, Red Cross, voluntary organizations and development partners so that relief and rescue works would be made more effective.

“The families of those perished in the disaster will be provided financial assistance as per existing legal provisions,” Shah pledged.

According to the PM, both national and international assistances are being mobilized for the post-disaster relief and rehabilitation. Relief materials were received from India, while international partners including the US, EU, WHO, RFRC are also providing additional support.

He said that assistance received from the private sector and the citizen was also being mobilized in an integrated manner.

RSS