KATHMANDU: Prime Minister (PM) Balendra Shah has said the government’s top priority at present is to save the lives of the injured, search for those missing and ensure the safety of people affected by the floods.
In a message addressed to citizens in the flood-affected and other areas through social media on Wednesday, Shah said the government was focusing all its efforts on search, rescue and relief operations.
“Today, I stand among you with a very heavy heart. The huge human and material loss caused by the sudden flash flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa this morning has shocked and saddened the entire country. This unexpected natural disaster has pushed many of our brothers, sisters and young children into deep pain,” Shah said.
According to the prime minister, 95 people have so far lost their lives in the floods. He expressed heartfelt condolences to those who died and solidarity with their families and others who lost their homes and property.
“On behalf of the Government of Nepal and personally, I offer my heartfelt condolences to all those who lost their lives. I express my deepest condolences to those brothers and sisters who have lost their lives, their families and everything they own. The entire Government of Nepal and the entire country are with you in this unbearable pain,” he said.
Shah also wished a speedy recovery to those injured and receiving treatment at hospitals. He said the government mobilized all available forces and mechanisms immediately after receiving news of the disaster and launched large-scale rescue operations.
An emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority was held shortly after the floods. This was followed by meetings of the National Council and the Council of Ministers, which took important decisions to intensify search, rescue and relief efforts.
According to Shah, teams from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police were immediately deployed to the affected areas to rescue people and search for survivors.
The government has allocated 100 beds at Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Center in Kathmandu for free treatment of injured flood victims. Other major hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley have also been placed on standby to treat additional casualties if required.
Medical teams have been deployed to the affected areas to rescue injured people and provide first aid. A team of health workers, including doctors from the National Trauma Center and personnel from various security agencies, has also been dispatched to the affected areas.
Similarly, Nepal Scouts, the World Health Organization and other organizations have sent doctors, rescue personnel and essential medical supplies to support emergency operations.
The government is maintaining continuous coordination with the Blood Transfusion Center, the health ministries of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces, the Nepal Red Cross Society, Lions Clubs and Nepal Scouts to ensure adequate emergency health services, medicines and blood supplies.
