Kathmandu, August 27: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has announced a 20-point priority plan focused on rescue, relief, medical treatment and rehabilitation after returning from an on-site inspection of flood- and landslide-affected areas in Nuwakot and surrounding districts.
Prime Minister Shah said he directly gathered information from affected residents, local representatives, security personnel, health workers and teams involved in rescue and relief operations during his visit.
He said the situation remains challenging and that all state mechanisms have been mobilized to their full capacity.
According to the Prime Minister, the government’s immediate focus is on saving lives, searching for missing people, rescuing those stranded, providing treatment to the injured and delivering immediate relief and safe shelter to affected families.
Government’s 20 Key Priorities
1. Large-scale mobilization of security personnel
A total of 13,295 personnel from the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police have been deployed for search and rescue operations. Continuous coordination and monitoring of the response is underway.
2. Rescue by air and road
Rescue operations are continuing through both air and land routes. A total of 69 flights were conducted in a single day, rescuing 573 people. Patients, pregnant and postpartum women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities have been given priority.
3. Relocation of affected people to safer areas
Efforts are underway to relocate stranded residents and security personnel from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and other affected areas. Temporary accommodation has been arranged in schools and public buildings for around 3,500 people.
4. Immediate relief funds and supplies
Rs 10 million each has been allocated for Rasuwa and Nuwakot, while Rs 5 million has been allocated for Dhading. Food and non-food relief supplies are being transported to affected areas by trucks and helicopters.
5. Temporary relief camps
Temporary relief camps have been established to provide food, drinking water and essential services. The Nepal Red Cross, Nepal Scouts, Lions Club and other volunteer organizations have also been mobilized.
6. Emergency health services on standby
The Health Emergency Operation Center has been activated. Bir Hospital, Trauma Center, Teaching Hospital, Civil Hospital, Patan Hospital and Police Hospital have been placed on standby to respond to emergencies.
7. Free medical treatment
Free treatment has been ensured for affected and injured citizens. Medical teams equipped with medicines and essential equipment, along with ambulances and blood transfusion services, have been mobilized.
8. Organized distribution of relief materials
Relief supplies are being collected at the National Emergency Warehouse at Tribhuvan International Airport and at Nepal Army facilities in Nuwakot and Dhading before being distributed according to need and priority.
9. Essential equipment being transported
Generators, mobile towers, batteries, medical supplies, tents and machinery needed for rescue operations are being sent to affected areas. A field hospital set has also been dispatched toward the Trishuli area.
10. Restoration of telecommunications
At least 70 telecommunications towers and sites—38 belonging to Nepal Telecom and 32 to Ncell—have been disrupted. Technical teams, generators and batteries are being transported to restore services.
11. Free communication facilities for affected residents
Nepal Telecom and Ncell have provided free voice, data and SMS services to affected residents. Temporary mobile connectivity and charging facilities are also being expanded.
12. Rapid restoration of essential infrastructure
Priority has been given to restoring roads, bridges, drinking water, electricity and telecommunications. Relevant ministries and agencies have been instructed to immediately mobilize personnel, equipment and resources.
13. Restoration of electricity infrastructure
The Nepal Electricity Authority is working to restore electricity and OPGW infrastructure. Structures essential for rescue and relief operations are being given priority.
14. Ensuring fuel supplies
Arrangements have been made to prevent fuel shortages in affected areas. Additional diesel, petrol and aviation fuel are being transported to support relief and rescue operations.
15. Drone surveys and damage assessment
Drone surveys and field assessments are being conducted to determine the actual extent of damage. The information will help identify stranded residents and blocked roads and make rescue operations more targeted.
16. Increased vigilance in riverbank areas
Authorities are continuously monitoring the flow of the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers as well as possible landslides and other risks. Residents living in vulnerable riverbank areas have been urged to move to safer locations.
17. Coordination among all levels of government
The federal, provincial and local governments are coordinating continuously with security agencies, health institutions, the Red Cross, volunteer organizations and development partners.
18. Assistance to families of victims
Financial assistance will be provided to the families of those who died in accordance with existing laws. Identification of victims and management of their remains are also being carried out systematically.
19. Mobilization of national and international assistance
National and international assistance is being mobilized for relief and post-disaster rehabilitation. Relief materials have been received from India, while coordination is underway with the United States, European Union, World Health Organization and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
20. Focus on recovery and reconstruction
The government has prioritized saving lives, searching for missing people, treating the injured, providing immediate relief, arranging safe shelter and rapidly restoring damaged essential infrastructure.
Prime Minister Shah said the government would ensure that rescue and relief operations do not face shortages of necessary resources and equipment.
He reiterated that the government stands with affected citizens during the crisis and that all state mechanisms will remain fully mobilized until rescue and relief operations are completed.
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