Kathmandu, August 26
The NOC’s aviation fuel depot in Sinamangal has dispatched aviation fuel to Nuwakot for helicopters deployed in rescue and relief operations in areas affected by the Rasuwa floods.
The 16,000-litre-capacity refuelling truck was sent to Nuwakot to make it easier for Nepal Army and private helicopters involved in rescue operations to refuel and eliminate the need to return to Kathmandu solely for fuel.
According to Pradeep Yadav, chief of the Aviation Fuel Depot in Sinamangal, the refuelling truck, which is normally used to refuel aircraft only inside airports, has been sent outside an airport for the first time in view of the emergency situation.
He said the decision was made in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and the Nepal Army. If the refuelling truck cannot reach the Nepal Army barracks in Nuwakot, it will be stationed at the Army barracks in Gajuri, Dhading, he said.
“We are sending a 16,000-liter-capacity refueling truck to provide fuel to the Nepal Army and other helicopters involved in the rescue operations,” Yadav told Onlinekhabar. “Although the vehicle is not normally permitted to operate outside the airport, we have sent it under the security and supervision of two Nepal Army representatives and three representatives from the corporation due to the exceptional circumstances.”
Officials expect that allowing helicopters to refuel in Nuwakot will make rescue operations for people affected by floods and landslides faster and more effective.
The Nepal Oil Corporation’s move is expected to provide significant logistical support for rescue operations during the emergency.
