KATHMANDU, Aug 30: Finance Minister Dr Swarnim Wagle inspected several flood-affected areas of Nuwakot on Saturday and assured local residents and rescue teams that the government would ensure there was no shortage of resources for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.
Wagle arrived in district headquarters Bidur early Saturday and visited the Relief and Rescue Command Post operated under the leadership of the Nepal Army. He was briefed by Nepal Army Lieutenant General Ranjit Thapa on ongoing rescue and relief operations.
Thapa said the rescue teams had been prioritising the search for missing people since Wednesday, with the rescue of people trapped inside tunnels of various hydropower projects receiving particular attention. He also said the authorities were providing temporary shelter, food and other relief supplies to displaced people and stressed the immediate need for Bailey bridges in the affected areas.
Wagle assured the rescue teams of full government support and urged them to seek any assistance they needed without hesitation. He also inspected the aerial rescue centre and relief collection and distribution centre at the Nepal Army’s Gauthali Barracks.
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The minister met families who had travelled to the rescue centre searching for relatives trapped at hydropower projects in Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Referring to the Army’s briefing, he said rescuing those trapped inside tunnels remained a top priority and urged families to trust the Army and other security personnel involved in the operation.
Wagle then visited the flood-ravaged Dhunge Bazaar, where he observed rescue operations and spoke with affected families about the damage and their immediate needs.
He also visited the historic Devighat Bazaar, which suffered extensive damage, and assured residents that the government would leave no stone unturned in searching for missing people, providing relief and treatment, and supporting rehabilitation.
The minister inspected the damaged bridge connecting Devighat and Jiling along the Galchhi-Rasuwagadhi road section. He also visited the Ayurvedic Centre at Lower Pipaltar and the holding centre at Chandrajyoti School, where he met residents rescued from Devighat Bazaar and heard about their difficulties.
Wagle checked on the health of people who had been rescued from floodwaters and assured them that the government would arrange for their proper rehabilitation. He also met the Armed Police Force medical team providing treatment and received an update on the availability of resources.
Later, Wagle and Communications Minister Dr Bikram Timilsina held discussions with Nuwakot’s elected representatives and political leaders on coordinating post-disaster rescue, relief, treatment and rehabilitation efforts.
During the meeting, convened at the initiative of Wagle at the District Coordination Committee hall, the finance minister said the central government would provide whatever resources were required. He urged all stakeholders to work together and ensure that people affected by the disaster faced no shortage of essential assistance.
