Nepal ends active flood search, recommends 559b rupees

Nepal’s National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management has ended active search and rescue operations after the August 26 Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, while directing agencies to accelerate rehabilitation and reconstruction and retain essential operations. At its October 5 meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah, the council recommended that the Finance Ministry approve 559.17 billion rupees for 504 recovery plans. The proposed funding has not been reported as approved. The disaster authority, the NDRRMA, reported 1,455 deaths, 5,285 people missing and 13,795 rescued. Those figures were cited by officials as the government shifts from broad search operations toward recovery. Emergency rescues will continue if needed, officials said, and remains or property may be recovered if found during rehabilitation work. The council’s decision followed recommendations from district security and disaster-management committees, the NDRRMA’s executive committee and field inspections, according to the government account. Agencies were instructed to expedite rehabilitation and reconstruction in affected areas.