Bhotekoshi Flood: Nepal Police Intensifies Efforts Amid Multifaceted Challenges

Kathmandu: Despite limited resources, Nepal Police has been continuously working to fulfill its responsibilities by mobilizing all available mechanisms to address the challenges created by the Bhotekoshi flood.

Immediately after the flood entered from the Nepal-China border in Rasuwa, police personnel have been working day and night up to the coastal areas, prioritizing information collection and analysis, adopting necessary strategies, and mobilizing available resources, skilled manpower and technology.

According to the Police Headquarters, 7,912 police personnel have been mobilized to manage the Bhotekoshi disaster. According to the latest police data, 6,853 people have been rescued from flood-affected areas, while 5,15 people are still missing.

Dogs and ‘drone cameras’ deployed in search and rescue
Nepal Police has mobilized a special team to search for and rescue people missing in the flood. Central Police Spokesperson Abinarayan Kafle said a ‘Disaster Rescue and Coordination Information Management Center’ has been established at the Police Headquarters under the leadership of a Deputy Inspector General of Police and is being monitored around the clock.

He said the center receives calls from relatives seeking the search and rescue of family members with whom they have lost contact and, based on the details received, informs the relevant police units to conduct searches.

So far, the center has received 1,351 requests for the search and rescue of relatives.

Search operations are continuing in affected areas using canines (trained dogs) and drones in complex physical structures. With the help of drone cameras, 24 bodies were found in a single house in Betrawati, Bidur Municipality-10, Nuwakot, a few days ago.

Similarly, a ‘Missing Help Desk’ has been established at the Police Headquarters and Tribhuvan International Airport to exchange information about deceased and missing foreign citizens with embassies, diplomatic missions and other foreign organizations located here.

Scientific body management and DNA profiling
Alongside rescue and search operations in the affected areas, the management of unidentified bodies and human organs is continuing with the assistance of forensic experts. Police spokesperson Kafle said scientific methods have been adopted in body management as the number of bodies being collected is increasing and there is a risk of infection and the spread of epidemics.

DNA profiling is being conducted at the Nepal Police Hospital in Maharajgunj to enable families of Nepali and foreign nationals missing after the floods to identify bodies and body parts recovered through DNA testing.

Strict surveillance of criminal incidents
Police have increased surveillance of criminal activities that may take advantage of the disaster. They are also continuously working to protect the empty houses of displaced people and control crimes and misinformation that may occur in the name of the disaster.

Patrols and surveillance have been increased to control criminal activities such as robbery and theft while security personnel are engaged in search and rescue operations, Deputy Inspector General of Police Kafle said.

He said police are also active in controlling fraud that may occur in the name of collecting relief during disasters. “Monitoring has also been increased against false information, rumors, misleading news and other materials circulating through social media,” said spokesperson Kafle. “Those who spread false information during disasters and create confusion among citizens or obstruct relief and rescue will be brought to justice.”

Health treatment, relief and awareness raising
Nepal Police is also taking the lead in providing health care to people injured in flood-affected areas. A team of expert doctors deployed from the Nepal Police Hospital has been continuously providing health care to the injured since the beginning.

The expert team from the Police Hospital is working to help the injured return to normal and minimize the mental stress that may arise from the devastating floods.

According to the latest statistics, police have conducted a total of 92 community awareness programs in flood-affected areas, with 41,257 people participating in the programs.

Women police personnel have been deployed at disaster-affected ‘holding centers’ in Rasuwa, Nuwokot and Dhading to prevent incidents of abuse and violence against women and children. According to the Police Headquarters, they are addressing problems and complaints related to women and children and providing necessary counseling.

Efforts continue to make daily lives of displaced people easier
Police are coordinating with local levels and other security agencies to make the daily lives of citizens in flood-affected areas easier. Police teams have been cleaning and repairing schools, health posts, hospitals and houses of displaced citizens damaged by the flood.

Spokesperson Kafle said police are facilitating passengers by providing timely information about roads blocked at various locations due to the flood and information about alternative routes.

Police standing with citizens in their suffering
Deputy Inspector General of Police Kafle said Nepal Police remains steadfast in its duty to stand with citizens in any situation. “Forgetting their own sorrows and pains, the police are moving forward, supporting the citizens in every difficulty they face,” he said.

The police organization has also suffered physical and moral losses from the flood. Twenty-five Nepal Police personnel who were deployed to protect the lives and property of citizens after the flood was reported are still missing.

Deputy Inspector General and spokesperson Kafle recalled that subordinate personnel are working day and night to facilitate the daily lives of citizens amid the large amounts of mud, soil and stones accumulated in flood-affected areas and the risk of further flooding.

“The Nepal Police is ready to fulfill its duty by facing multifaceted challenges, including search and rescue in affected areas, searching for people who have lost contact, management of bodies, distribution of relief, control of criminal activities and protection of the lives and property of displaced people,” he said.