KATHMANDU: Security personnel successfully rescued 923 inmates after a massive flood hit the prison area following a surge in the Bhotekoshi River on Aug. 26. A team of 52 security personnel, led by Armed Police Force Inspector Pappu Yadav and Nepal Police Sub-Inspector Krishna Subedi, acted immediately after receiving a warning about the impending flood at 9:26 a.m.
The floodwaters first struck the administrative building and the police office before hitting two perimeter walls. This impact significantly reduced the force of the water, preventing major casualties despite floodwaters entering blocks 1 and 2. As panic spread among the inmates, security forces fired 11 warning shots to maintain order. During the chaos, two inmates attempted to escape but were apprehended by a team led by Inspector Anup Gurung and returned to custody by 11:00 a.m.
By 11:30 a.m., the floodwaters had receded. On Aug. 28, 32 female inmates were transferred to Bhimphedi, Makwanpur. Currently, the facility houses 887 individuals, including 138 in the juvenile correction unit. Security has been reinforced with 62 Armed Police Force personnel and 20 Nepal Police officers. While the administrative office has been relocated to a safer area, officials noted that the structural damage caused by the flood continues to pose security challenges.
