SINDHUPALCHOWK, July 9: Nepal Army on Friday airlifted 58 victims of the flooded Bhotekoshi river from Tatopani to Bahrabise VDC of Sindhupalchowk district.
Flooding by the river has badly damaged the Brahrabise-Taptopani section of Arniko Highway, bringing road transport to a grinding halt. So, helicopters had to be used to rescue the victims.
String of disasters curtail Upper Bhotekoshi's capacity
Local authorities had attempted a rescue since Thursday morning. However, bad weather prevented the helicopters from operating. The victims had reached Chaukidada, Tatopani VDC early in the morning to await rescue. Later, army helicopters landed at Das Kilo and carried out the rescue operations.
Among those airlifted, 44 are travelling onwards to Kathmandu by bus to live with relatives. The remaining 13 have moved in with relatives at Bahrabise, according to Gokarna Mani Dawadi, chief district officer of Sindhupalchowk.
“We are taking the victims to Kathmandu as per their wish,” said Inspector Khum Lal Bhusal of the Border Police Office.
Monsoon-triggered flooding by the river has swept away about 50 houses and displaced nearly 200 families since Tuesday night. Flooding has swept away most areas of Larcha, Das Kilo, Tatopani, Kodari and Liping Bazzar.
“The rains have not stopped. Land erosions caused by flooding are continuing.There is possibility of more damage,” said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Manoj Thapa at the Armed Police Force Tatopani Base Camp.
Flooding has also affected the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The Miteri Bridge connecting with the northern neighbor is at high risk. Chinese officlas have closed the gateway to the bridge and moved to Khasha Bazzar for greater safety, according to DSP Thapa.
