Home Ministry Secretary Sharma: No Hope of Finding Survivors from Rasuwa Flood

Kathmandu. Home Ministry Secretary Kedarnath Sharma has stated that there is no possibility of finding alive the individuals who went missing after the Rasuwa flood. He said this during a meeting of the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee, adding that the chances of rescuing them alive are slim. Sharma informed that the search and rescue operation is continuing despite the low probability. According to him, rescue operations are ongoing, especially in the tunnels of hydropower projects. He mentioned that entering some tunnels has been delayed due to geographical conditions, lack of technology, and difficult circumstances. Sharma also stated that international search and rescue experts have acknowledged the difficult geographical conditions of the site. He clarified that discussions are underway with the heads of security agencies and disaster experts regarding continuing the search and rescue as long as there is a possibility. Sharma emphasized that the focus is currently on search and rescue. "After this, we will gradually move to relief," he said, "then rehabilitation and reconstruction work will follow." He reiterated that the possibility of finding survivors is now low. While mentioning that there are examples of people being found alive even after 21 days in international practice, he informed that search operations are being conducted in the tunnels of hydropower projects. "All heads of security agencies are deployed; we lacked some technology and the geographical conditions were difficult," he added, "experts from other countries also said it was difficult after seeing the geography, hence the rescue operation was delayed." Sharma stated that the protection of women and children in the flood-affected areas is being carried out in coordination with local levels. Representatives from the National Child Rights Council have been deployed to holding centers for the protection of children. Local governments are managing rescued children and those separated from their guardians. Non-governmental organizations working at the local level are also assisting in the management of children in the holding centers. Home Secretary Sharma reported that no serious deviations or further problems have been observed in the condition of the children so far.