Kathmandu, August 26
A sudden flood in Rasuwa has caused widespread devastation, resulting in significant loss of life and property in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other areas.
All security agencies have been mobilised for search and rescue operations. Personnel trained in search and rescue, along with Nepal Army helicopters, private helicopters, drones and sniffer dogs, have been deployed to the affected areas.
Medical teams have also been sent to the flood-hit areas. Security agencies said the bodies of seven people who died in the floods have so far been recovered. Several injured people have also been rescued and are receiving treatment.
Security personnel have also suffered significant losses. Nepal Police Central Spokesperson and DIG Abinarayan Kafle said 32 police personnel are still missing. Nine personnel from the Armed Police Force are also out of contact.
A total of 41 security personnel remain unaccounted for.
Police Assistant Constable Santosh Rijal, who narrowly survived the flood, spoke to Onlinekhabar. He said a massive surge of water suddenly hit while he was making an announcement over a loudspeaker warning people that a flood was coming.
We are reproducing below, verbatim, what Assistant Constable Rijal told Onlinekhabar about the situation there:
“I am stationed in Betravati. We had gone out to make announcements warning people that a flood was coming. We were using a loudspeaker to urge residents living along the roadside and riverbanks to move to safer places.
“We had been deployed for the announcements under the command of Assistant Sub-Inspector Ram Kaji Paudel. Suddenly, a massive flood came. There was no time to even think. People who were sleeping, sitting at home or eating were swept away by the flood. We do not know exactly how many people were swept away.
“I was on my motorcycle. I abandoned the motorcycle and ran toward the forest to save my life. The ASI who had gone with us to make the announcements is out of contact. We still do not know what happened to him. I am currently staying in the forest. I have nowhere to go. I survived by just 10 seconds. At a time like this, simply being alive feels like a lot.
“We do not know how many children or students were swept away. I saw many people being swept away right before my eyes. Many of our police personnel are also out of contact. There must have been around 70 houses here. Now, none of those houses is still standing intact.”
