Govt intensifies aerial rescue efforts, army chopper successfully rescues 294 people

KATHMANDU, Sept 30: Security agencies have intensified aerial rescue efforts for travelers and locals stranded in various locations of Kavrepalanchowk due to floods, landslides, inundation, and natural disaster incidents induced by incessant rain since Thursday.

According to the spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Rishiram Tiwari, the Nepali Army, at the request of the MoHA, deployed a helicopter since Sunday for rescue operations in hugely affected areas of the district, including Roshi Rural Municipality.

“On Saturday, rescue operations in Kavrepalanchowk could not be carried out by helicopters due to bad weather,” Tiwari told Republica, “With the improvement in weather, the army helicopter has been continuously engaged in rescue operations since Sunday.”  

Joint Secretary Tiwari stated that a total of 132 people have been successfully rescued from disaster incidents in Darcha and Mangaltar of Kavrepalanchowk by helicopter and brought to safety on Monday. Similarly, he said that the Nepali Army’s helicopter has also been dispatched to Sindhuli and Lalitpur for relief and rescue operations in the affected areas. He mentioned that the MoHA is also providing immediate relief supplies to the rescued and stranded travelers and locals. 

On Sunday, a total of 162 people were rescued by helicopter in Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhuli, and Lalitpur. In addition to clearing the blocked road section on the BP Highway, security personnel are also continuing to rescue stranded travelers with the help of ropes. The MoHA has stated that petroleum products are also being transported by helicopter to vehicles that need them to resume traffic in the area. Meanwhile, the blocked road at Jhyaple in Dhading on the Prithvi Highway has been cleared since Sunday night.

According to the MoHA, teams from the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police are deployed in the affected areas for the rescue of those stranded in the disaster. Spokesperson Tiwari informed Republica that security personnel have successfully rescued a total of 4,000 people so far.

The MoHA stated that it will coordinate with all concerned ministries and agencies to expedite search, rescue, and relief efforts; provide grants for temporary housing construction; repair blocked roads to restore transportation; and ensure effective free health treatment for citizens injured in disaster incidents.