Nepal PM details flood rescue op: 573 airlifted, over 13,000 personnel deployed

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah on Thursday said 13,295 security personnel have been mobilised for search and rescue operations in flood-hit areas, while 573 people have been rescued through 69 air flights as the government steps up efforts to reach those stranded.

In a Facebook post, Shah said the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police had been deployed on a priority basis for search and rescue operations.

"13,295 security personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police have been mobilised to give high priority to the search and rescue operation," Shah said.

Of those deployed, 7,250 are from the Nepal Police, 4,200 from the Nepal Army and 1,845 from the Armed Police Force.

573 RESCUED THROUGH 69 AIR FLIGHTS

Shah said 573 people have been rescued through 69 air flights today, with additional helicopters kept on standby.

"Additional helicopters have been kept on standby, and private helicopters have also been mobilised for rescue and relief under the government command and coordination system," he said.

The government is continuing to relocate stranded citizens and security personnel from affected areas, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, to safer locations.

Temporary accommodation has been arranged in schools and public or community buildings for the immediate settlement of around 3,500 people, Shah said.

RS 25 MILLION RELEASED FOR RELIEF

The government has mobilised Rs 10 million each for Rasuwa and Nuwakot and Rs 5 million for Dhading for immediate relief to people affected by the floods.

Shah said 10 trucks of relief materials had been sent to the affected areas.

The supplies include noodles, biscuits, sleeping bags, mattresses and blankets.

Additional food and non-food items are also being transported to affected areas by helicopter.

RELIEF CAMPS PROVIDE FOOD, WATER

Temporary relief camps have been established in affected areas to provide food, drinking water and essential basic services.

The Nepal Red Cross, Nepal Scout, Lions Club and other voluntary organisations have also been mobilised for relief and rescue operations.

Shah said relief materials meant for around 30,000 people had been sent to the affected areas by the Red Cross.

SERIOUSLY INJURED TO BE AIRLIFTED

The latest update comes after the Nepal Prime Minister's Office said earlier on Thursday that people injured and left vulnerable by flooding in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa would be rescued using Nepal Army and private helicopters.

A meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority decided that injured people would be rescued from affected areas and initially treated at camps to be set up at Nepal Army barracks in Dhunche, Rasuwa, and Bidur, Nuwakot.

Preparations are underway to immediately rescue seriously injured people and bring them to Kathmandu.

The rescue and treatment operations will prioritise injured people according to the severity of their condition.

RELIEF MATERIALS SENT BY ROAD

The Prime Minister's Office also said necessary relief materials for affected people had started being transported by land to the Nepal Army barracks in Bidur.

The government is continuing to coordinate air and ground operations as security personnel, helicopters and voluntary organisations work to rescue stranded people and deliver essential supplies across the affected areas.