Government firmly focused on search, rescue and relief efforts: PM Shah

Kathmandu: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that the government is firmly and actively engaged in the search, rescue, treatment, relief of flood survivors and the safe management of citizens.

Taking to his social media account this evening, he mentioned that the role of all security personnel, civil servants, media, officials of various agencies, volunteer organizations and the general public who are deployed in the affected areas, without even caring about their own lives, is appreciable and commendable.

“We express our heartfelt gratitude for the patience, support, cooperation and coordination shown by everyone during this hour of grief. The support and assistance provided by the provincial and local governments to the federal government in disaster management is very important. In addition, the goodwill and cooperation shown by all stakeholders including our friendly countries, domestic and foreign organizations, the media is exemplary,” he said.

Prime Minister Shah has stated that the flood in the Bhotekoshi River was not an ordinary flood. “This is the biggest disaster in the Himalayan region caused by an avalanche of snow and rocks. This incident indicates that the risks we face in the Himalayan region are increasing with climate change. Therefore, this region must be vigilant, and at the same time, it is time for us to strongly raise the issue of the disasters we are facing due to climate change before the international community,” he said.

Stating that the government is still focused on search and rescue in the affected areas, while also collecting and distributing relief supplies to the survivors as a priority task, he said that relief supplies received from different organizations and ordinary citizens in various places in the country, including Kathmandu, are being collected and delivered to the disaster survivors.

Stating that the international community is also helping in this task, Prime Minister Shah shared that so far, assistance has been received from friendly countries including India, China, the US, the UAE, Qatar, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, among others.

“Our security personnel have reached out to 3,696 survivors through air and road through four collection centers in the affected areas (Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading) and 27 distribution centers in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts,” he said. He also said that the provincial and local governments are also actively involved in shelter and relief management at those centers in coordination with the federal government.

The government is also continuously informed about the collection and distribution of relief through the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The government has also given priority to the construction of temporary bridges while a study has been conducted to install bailey bridges at three places (Tadi River in Devighat, Trishuli Bazaar and Betravati Bazaar. In addition, a 230-foot single-lane modular steel bridge has been received from the Government of India, with a commitment to sending seven more bailey bridges.

“We will also soon be receiving 30 bailey bridges from the Chinese government”, he said.

Prime Minister Shah mentioned that along with search and rescue in the affected zone the government has also initiated discussions on how to rehabilitate the survivors. For that, details including the number of survivors and of physical damage incurred are being collected in coordination with the local government.

“Thousands of citizens have lost their homes, families, loved ones and assets. The government understands the pain they are experiencing. The way forward is to alleviate their pain and bring them back to normal life through rehabilitation. The government will work to rehabilitate them by strengthening them mentally and physically. The process of raising the necessary financial resources for rehabilitation is ongoing,” he said.

RSS