Amid the wreckage and devastation brought by catastrophic floods in Nepal, rescue operations are moving at a rapid pace across affected regions. In a notable development, roughly 50 crore rupees worth of gold and 1.5 crore rupees in cash were successfully extracted from a branch of the Agriculture Development Bank located in Trishuli, Nuwakot. The bank branch had been completely submerged after the Bhote Koshi River swelled dramatically. Local police reported that after nearly eight hours of continuous effort on Sunday, the gold, silver, cash, and other vital belongings were retrieved while maintaining strict safety measures in the flood-stricken zone.
Success After Eight Hours of Rigorous Effort
The Agriculture Development Bank branch in Trishuli, Nuwakot sits directly along the banks of the Bhote Koshi River. When severe flooding struck on August 26, it caused immense destruction, submerging the bank facility entirely. Initial fears suggested that the raging torrent might have washed away all the cash, gold, and silver stored inside the building. However, once the floodwaters receded and rescue teams began inspecting the branch, they discovered the 50 crore rupees in gold and 1.5 crore rupees in cash intact. This milestone was achieved after about eight hours of intensive labor. Officials confirmed that the recovered valuables have been transported to a secure location.
Over 800 Fatalities and Ongoing Relief Efforts
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Balen Shah shared comprehensive details regarding the relief, rescue, and rehabilitation operations addressing the severe natural disaster that has gripped the country for the past five days. The Prime Minister stated that compiling a complete assessment of the human and material losses caused by the destructive floods in the Bhote Koshi River of Rasuwa remains a significant challenge. Despite adverse weather, difficult terrain, and persistent risks, the government is working tirelessly on a war footing to save civilian lives. The death toll from the disaster has crossed 800.
With assistance from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, bodies are being managed systematically. Identified bodies are being handed over to their grieving families. For unidentified remains, legal procedures are being followed while preserving crucial evidence, including DNA samples, to aid future identification.
Evacuation of Thousands Via Air and Ground
According to Prime Minister Shah, a total of 9,435 individuals have been safely evacuated to secure locations via air and ground routes so far. A total of 394 flights have been operated for rescue and relief missions, which includes 72 flights conducted on Sunday alone. To maintain security and assist relief efforts in the impacted zones, 20,618 personnel from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force have been deployed.
Hydropower Project Rescues and International Assistance
Helicopters belonging to the Nepali Army have evacuated 279 people from various hydropower project areas. Assisted by an Indian expert investigation team, rescue workers saved 250 people around the Upper Trishuli-1 project in Rasuwa over a two-day period. Alongside the Indian teams, Chinese and Korean expert groups are coordinating with the Nepali Army to conduct rescue operations.
The Indian team is searching up to three kilometers deep inside tunnels. Rescue operations are similarly underway inside the tunnel of the Upper Trishuli-3A project in Nuwakot, where Nepali Army engineers are attempting to clear a path through controlled blasting. A joint team of 90 personnel, including troops, trained sniffer dogs from the armed police, and Nepal Police experts, is stationed at the site.
A two-by-three-foot hole was drilled into the tunnel, but no response came from within. Consequently, heavy equipment, blasting, and tunnel-widening work are proceeding simultaneously. Rescue missions are also active at the Upper Trishuli-3B, Chilime, Langtang Khola, and Mailung Khola hydropower projects, where Indian expert teams work in coordination with the Nepali Army. Out of the 267 injured individuals rescued from flood-affected zones and treated at local and Kathmandu hospitals, 156 have already been discharged. Medical and psychological counseling teams have been dispatched from Kathmandu to support the affected communities.
