KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said that saving lives of the injured persons, searching for the missing ones and providing security to all those affected is the first priority of the government in the aftermath of the devastating flash flood occurred in Bhotekoshi and Trishuli Rivers on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister took to a social networking site to share with the citizens about the affected areas and other parts of the country to which government’s entire attention is centred- for rescue, search and relief initiatives.

“Today, I am here with you all with a very heavy heart. Significant loss of lives and property caused by the sudden flood in the Bhotekoshi River of Rasuwa this morning came as immense shock to the entire nation. This unexpected natural disaster has plunged many of our brothers, sisters and young children into deep sorrow,” he mentioned.

According to the Prime Minister, so far, 95 people have lost their lives in the disaster. I, on behalf of the government and personal level, extend heartfelt tributes to all those who lost their life in the disaster. I extend heartfelt condolences to all those brothers and sisters in grief who lost relatives, families and everything. The entire government and all citizens stand with you all during these hours of profound grief. I wish speedy recovery of those injured in the floods and those receiving treatment in hospitals,” the Prime Minister said.

He added that the government responded with its full strength and activated its entire mechanism with the mobilisation of a score of security personnel immediately after it was reported about the disaster.

An emergency meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) was held immediately after the floods. Following this, a meeting of the National Security Council and a meeting of the Council of Ministers were held, taking significant decisions on the intensification of rescue, search and relief operations. The Nepali Army, the Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Police teams were promptly deputed in the affected sites to save the citizen’s lives and for the search operations, according to him.

According to the Prime Minister, 100 beds were allocated in the Bir Hospital and the National Trauma Centre in Kathmandu for accessible and free treatment to the injured citizens. Other large hospitals in Kathmandu have been prepared for the treatment of the injured at any time. The government has mobilised medical teams in the affected areas for the rescue and primary treatment of the injured persons.

Similarly, medical teams and rescuers’ teams from the Nepal Scout, the World Health Organisation and other bodies have been sent to the disaster-hit regions.

As he wrote, continuous coordination has been established with various organizations including the Blood Transfusion Centre, the Ministries of Health of Bagmati and Gandaki Provinces, Nepal Red Cross Society, Lions Club and Nepal Scouts to ensure that there is no shortage of emergency health services, medicines and blood for the disaster-hit citizens.

PM Shah informed that collection of details on loss of lives and injured ones is continued along with the consultation with the affected local levels and the federal lawmakers representing the flood-hit districts.

According to him, government is working untiringly to save citizens from the disaster impacts and normalize the public life. The search for the missing ones will be intensified and detailed information collected on the injured ones and damaged infrastructures/property. The rescue works would continue even during the night.

“Bidur of Nuwakot, Uttargaya and Gosaikunda of Rasuwa, Gajuri, Galchhi, Benighat, Tripurasundari and Siddhalek of Dhading and Shahid Lakhan and Gandaki Rural Municipality of Gorkha have been most affected by the flood,” he said, adding that essential things as food, drinking water, medicines and temporary shelters would be managed promptly.

Efforts would go in a speed for restoring the damaged public infrastructures- roads, bridges, electricity system and drinking water project. Rehabilitation of the displaced people is an equal priority, the PM assured.

PM Shah mentioned, “The suffering and the loss you have faced is immense. But, I assure you all that you are not alone at this hour of difficulty. Entire state machinery and resources are working for you. Please maintain patience. Government takes entire responsibility for your rescue, treatment, food and shelters.”

The Head of government appealed to all sides to remain unified at such hour of disaster. He appealed to the social organizations, industrialists, youth volunteers and general public to extend support to the government’s bid to relief and rescue works.