Kathmandu, August 15

The Ministry of Home Affairs today said it had mobilised over 26,700 employees in flood- and landslide-hit areas to carry out search, rescue and relief operations.

The MoHA informed that 13 helicopters of the Nepali Army and private sector, motor and rafting boats, among others, had been deployed for search, rescue and relief operations.

According to the MoHA, 40 families rendered homeless by floods have been evacuated and shifted to a safer place in Bhajani of Kailali.

Similarly, 600 families of Dhanusa and 272 families of Banke have found safe shelter in public schools, community buildings and rest houses.

The MoHA said relief materials, including food and safe drinking water, were supplied to flood and landslide survivors. The ministry has formed a relief collection coordination committee led by Joint Secretary Kedar Neupane to make the relief distribution more systematic.

A command post comprising high-level officials of all security agencies have been established and it is operating round-the-clock.

Likewise, health workers, community volunteers and paramedic teams with essential medicines have been providing service in the disaster-hit areas, it said.

All chief district officers have been directed not to grant leave to district-based employees until the end of monsoon besides asking them to submit rapid assessment report to the ministry within 10 days.

“The government has made necessary arrangements to provide free treatment to persons injured in flood and landslides. Rescue and relief distribution committee led by ward chief has been formed,” stated a press release issued by the ministry.

Meanwhile, Minister for Home Affairs Janardan Sharma today reached Tribhuvan International Airport and inspected transportation of relief materials to disaster-hit areas. He directed the concerned authorities to ensure that relief materials do not reach wrong hands.