KATHMANDU, Aug 29: Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC), in a bid to expedite support for rescue and relief efforts related to Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, has provided 40,580 liters of aviation fuel for the helicopters used for these purposes.
According to the NOC, fuel is being distributed in coordination with the Nepali Army for the helicopters used in the rescue operations. The NOC has stated that fuel has been provided from the Nepali Army barracks in Nuwakot and through tankers since Wednesday when the natural catastrophe hit several districts.
973 liters of petrol stolen from NOC tanker
As per the NOC records, it provided 12,000 liters of aviation fuel Wednesday. On the next day, 9,000 liters were provided by tanker and 1,840 liters for helicopters. On each of the consecutive two days, the NOC is reported to have made available 9,000 liters of fuel targeted for the rescue operations.
To facilitate the rescue work, the NOC's Bagmati Provincial Office in Thankot has also increased its distribution of fuel to petrol pumps operating in the flood-affected areas. The state-owned enterprise has stated that 72,000 liters of petrol and 62,000 liters of diesel were provided to those pumps as of Saturday.
The NOC has expressed its commitment to sell and distribute petrol and diesel even on public holidays as per demand. The adequate fuel supply is expected to help prevent fuel shortages for vehicles deployed in rescue and relief operations.
Meanwhile, entrepreneurs of cooking gas bottlers have announced plans to provide 1,250 cylinders filled with liquefied petroleum gas to people affected by the Wednesday floods. Diwan Chand, president of Nepal LP Gas Industry Association, said the entrepreneurs have aimed to distribute the cooking essential free of cost to the targeted groups from flood affected areas.
