Kathmandu. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the flood that entered Rasuwa has reached Galchi of Dhading. NRA Under-Secretary, Spokesperson and Information Officer Shanti Mahat said that the flood had reached Galchhi half an hour after it entered Nepal.

According to Mahat, communication communication has been affected as the towers of Nepal Telecom (NTC) and Ncell have been damaged due to the floods. She informed that the repair work of the tower is going on in coordination with both the telecommunication companies.

The exact details of human and physical damage caused by the floods are yet to be ascertained. Mahat said that three helicopters of the Nepal Army have been mobilized immediately after receiving information that rescue was needed in some places. A helicopter with health workers has also reached the affected area, she said.

“The details of the damage are yet to be ascertained. We have sent helicopters immediately after receiving information that one or two cases need to be rescued,” Mahat said.

According to the NRA, the flood might have occurred primarily due to snowmelt. According to Mahat, preliminary information has been received that the river was blocked due to avalanche some time back and after the river suddenly opened, a big flood has occurred.

However, the exact cause of the floods is yet to be officially confirmed, she said.

According to him, the flood entered Nepal at 8.40 am and the NRA received information about the incident from Rasuwa at around 9 am.

Mahat also stressed the need of further coordination with China to get early information about such disasters coming from across the border. As the upper part of the river is on the Chinese side, the information will be available only after the flood enters Nepal, he said.

She said that there was a need to make the trans-border disaster information and early warning system effective by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Nepal and China.

Mahat said that a meeting of the National Council is being held under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister to discuss the flood situation. Earlier, a meeting of the command post was held under the chairmanship of the Home Minister.

According to him, the National Council will take a decision if there is a need to take a policy and big decision. At present, the local administration, local level and non-governmental organizations have been mobilized for rescue and relief work.

Similarly, as per the agreements signed with the private sector, helicopter companies and rafting associations, preparations have been made to mobilize them in disaster-affected areas as per the need without mobilizing them elsewhere.

The authority has said it is collecting more details and making necessary coordination in the affected areas, giving priority to search and rescue operations.