KATHMANDU, Sept 2: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha met with the families of people who remain unaccounted for at the Chilime Hydropower Project and assured them that the government stands with them during this difficult time.
Speaking to the families, Minister Shrestha said the pain of receiving no information about their loved ones for a week was profound and impossible to put into words.
He said the government was equally distressed over its inability to determine the whereabouts of missing citizens and public servants.
“Every life is precious. The state must leave no stone unturned in the search for even a single life, and it has not done so,” Shrestha said.
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He said all available state mechanisms, skilled personnel, technology and resources had been mobilized for the search and rescue operation.
While assuring the families that there had been no shortage of technology, skilled manpower or resources in the rescue efforts, Shrestha acknowledged that concerns were growing as the operation had yet to produce the expected results after a week.
Saying the government was continuing search and rescue efforts despite the difficult circumstances, he urged the families not to lose patience.
“We will continue our efforts until every possibility has been exhausted. It is still not time to give up hope. Let us continue our efforts alongside our prayers and keep hope alive,” he said.
Shrestha said the government stood with the families of its citizens and public servants and pledged not to let them feel alone during the difficult period.
During the meeting, Energy Ministry Secretary Sarita Dawadi said search and rescue efforts were being carried out through coordination and cooperation among various government agencies.
She said all available means were being used, as protecting the lives of citizens was the government’s primary responsibility.
Similarly, Dhirghayu Kumar Shrestha, acting executive director of Nepal Electricity Authority and chairman of Chilime Hydropower Company, briefed the families on the search and rescue efforts carried out so far.
He said the company was making every possible effort to make the search and rescue operation more effective.
