Kathmandu, September 6
Prime Minister Balendra Shah has praised the security forces deployed in the response to the Rasuwa floods, saying their contribution during the crisis will be highly valued and that the government will not compromise on their safety, service and welfare.
In a message addressed to security personnel on Sunday evening, Shah thanked the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force for their continued search, rescue and relief efforts in the flood-hit areas.
He particularly praised security personnel who managed to evacuate all 923 inmates from the Central Prison in Bidur Municipality-6 of Nuwakot after the Bhotekoshi flood struck on August 26.
According to Shah, 52 Nepal Police and Armed Police personnel deployed to guard the prison moved inmates from two buildings to a higher building as floodwaters carrying mud and debris entered the prison compound.
The flood damaged the prison’s administrative building, security posts and walls and reached the first floor of buildings where inmates had been held.
Shah said around 50 inmates took advantage of the situation to break through the prison wall and gate and flee as far as 100 metres. Security personnel later brought them back under control. Some security personnel were injured when inmates who had not escaped attacked them, he said.
The security personnel also helped protect the lives of nearby residents, according to the prime minister.
“Today, their barracks and offices are still covered in mud, access routes no longer exist and the water supply has been disrupted,” Shah said. “Yet they are carrying water from afar, using field embankments as roads, clearing routes and standing on duty with high morale. Their courage is remarkable.”
Shah said the prison response was only one example of the work carried out by security personnel during the disaster.
According to him, joint efforts by the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have so far rescued 13,391 people from the affected areas. Security personnel have transported injured people to hospitals by road, helicopter and, in some cases, by carrying them on their shoulders.
They have also been involved in managing bodies, preventing the spread of infectious diseases in affected areas and supporting survivors in temporary holding centres.
“Despite the difficult geography and adverse weather, our security personnel are still searching through the mud and debris left by the flood,” Shah said.
He acknowledged the emotional toll on security personnel, saying many were themselves grieving colleagues who had gone missing in the disaster.
According to Shah, 45 Nepal Army personnel, 25 Nepal Police personnel and 12 Armed Police personnel remain missing following the floods.
“Even while carrying this pain, you have hidden your tears and continued entering the mud, recovering bodies and standing guard day and night at holding centres,” he said.
Thousands deployed across flood-hit areas
Shah said the three security agencies have been working together in search, rescue and disaster management operations.
The Nepal Army has established a forward headquarters, emergency medical rescue team and forward air base at Maithil Barracks in Battar, Nuwakot. It has also established a tactical headquarters, forward medical team and additional air base at Dhunche in Rasuwa.
The army is leading rescue operations in difficult terrain and at hydropower tunnel sites, with specialised search-and-rescue teams from the Armed Police Force and dog teams from Nepal Police also involved.
The army has also accelerated the construction of Bailey bridges and the opening of blocked roads. At Devighat in Nuwakot, army engineers are installing an Acrow bridge to restore connectivity.
Around 9,287 army personnel are currently deployed in flood-affected areas, Shah said.
Nepal Police has been involved in search, rescue, relief distribution, body management and maintaining security in affected areas from the beginning of the disaster. Trained sniffer dogs have also been deployed.
Around 7,975 police personnel are currently working in the affected areas.
The Armed Police Force has deployed specialised divers, rope-rescue teams, drones and canine teams for search and rescue operations in the difficult terrain along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor.
The force had established disaster response posts, field command posts and 13 disaster response bases in the affected areas. It is also providing medical services.
Around 4,203 Armed Police personnel are currently deployed in the flood-hit areas.
Shah said the combined efforts of the three security agencies had given millions of people a sense of safety during the crisis.
“Your contribution will be highly valued,” he said. “The government will not compromise on your service, safety and welfare.”
He also expressed gratitude to the families of security personnel for encouraging them to continue working during the crisis.
Shah thanked experts from Nepal and abroad who have been supporting the security forces in disaster management.
“We will always remain grateful to you,” he said.
