August 26, Kathmandu.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal has informed the House of Representatives that significant loss of life and property has occurred due to the flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa.
Speaking on behalf of the government at the meeting of the House of Representatives, Minister Khanal stated that an emergency meeting of the Monsoon Command Post was held, and coordination is underway regarding the situation of the incident, search and rescue, security management, health services, and relief operations.
According to him, 26 police personnel working in police stations including Timure in Rasuwa and 9 security personnel from the Armed Police Force are missing. Similarly, 44 security personnel from the Nepali Army working at Timure and Mailung posts are also missing, he informed.
Minister Khanal stated that some employees, including those from Rasuwagadhi Customs and Immigration Office, are also currently out of contact. He added that some citizens from the affected areas are also missing.
According to him, 9 bodies have been found in the affected area so far, and the identification of the bodies is yet to be done. He stated that initial information indicates some Nepali citizens have also lost their lives.
‘I extend my heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives in this disaster,’ said Minister Khanal.
According to Minister Khanal, a massive flood occurred in Rasuwa’s Bhotekoshi River around 8:40 AM on Wednesday. He stated that initial information indicates significant damage due to the flood in areas including Timure, Syabrubesi, Bhitrawati, Trishuli, Batar, Devighat in Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
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He stated that initial information suggests an earthquake occurred at 8:37 AM before the flood, and the flood might have been caused by a glacial avalanche triggered by the earthquake. However, he added that this information needs further verification.
‘Initial reports have also come in that an earthquake occurred at 8:37 AM, and the earthquake triggered a glacial avalanche, which then caused the flood. This needs further verification,’ he said.
Minister Khanal stated that preliminary estimates indicate extensive damage to physical infrastructure including roads, bridges, hydropower, and communication sectors due to the flood. He also informed that government and private buildings and properties have suffered significant damage.
He stated that after a risk was identified in the riparian areas of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers, residents in the riverine areas of Rasuwa, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan were urged to exercise high caution. He informed that immediate information was disseminated to citizens through ringtones, backup tones, SMS, public announcements (miking), and social media to move to safe locations.
Minister Khanal stated that immediately after the flood, a meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Balendra Shah, and concerned bodies were directed to take necessary steps, prioritizing the search, rescue, and relief for affected citizens.
Minister Khanal informed the House of Representatives that all government mechanisms have been mobilized for search and rescue, relief, and security management in the affected areas.
For More: Security Personnel Missing Rasuwa
