Nepal Engineers’ Association Comes Up with 5-Point Workplans for Rescue Operations

Kathmandu: The Nepal Engineers’ Association (NEA) has stepped up taking a number of initiatives for search and rescue, initial assessment of damage and technical assistance in the flood-affected areas of Trishuli and Bhotekoshi rivers at a time when the government is criticized for delaying rescue operations particularly for hydropower workers trapped in project sites.

According to the NEA, the necessary technical assistance and facilitation has been taken forward in the affected areas in collaboration with professional organizations, experts and the private sector. The association has sought coordination, cooperation and necessary approval of the Government of Nepal and concerned government agencies equally in required conditions.

In the past five days after the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods hit major hydropower projects in Rasuwa and Nuwakot district, the government has expedited the rescue operations. However, around 900 hydropower workers are reported to go missing while hundreds of technical manpower have been stuck inside the power plants and tunnels. In this context, the NEA has offered to provide technical assistance to join the government mobilized rescue teams.

 1. Formation of Technical Subcommittee

It is stated that various thematic teams and subcommittees have been formed and mobilized in coordination with the concerned government agencies to continuously monitor the situation of the flood-affected areas, collect data and technically manage them. It involves devising overall mechanism, technical equipment and resource coordination team, continuous data collection and update team, transport and movement management team, and corpse identification and management team in Bharatpur.

2. Coordination with concerned bodies

NEA says it has taken needful initiatives and facilitation to make search and rescue in the affected areas effective, speedy and result-oriented by continuously communicating, coordinating and collaborating with the government, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, disaster management agencies, Nepal Electricity Authority and other concerned government agencies.

3. Technical expertise

To make search and rescue effective, collaboration has been done with the necessary technical manpower, experts and organizations in coordination with the concerned government agencies for tasks requiring specific technical skills and expertise, including tunnel drilling and blasting.

4. Technical assessment of damage

Necessary procedures, manpower and technical mechanisms have been prepared in coordination with the concerned government agencies to technically assess the damage caused to infrastructure, structures, roads, bridges, hydropower projects and other physical assets affected by the floods.

Similarly, it has been stated that a preliminary technical assessment has been carried out in coordination with the concerned government agencies to identify the current condition of the affected areas, the nature of the damage, the level of risk and the technical intervention required immediately.

5. Collaboration with Hydropower Projects/Organizations

Necessary coordination and facilitation has been made with various hydropower projects and related organizations affected by the flood, and cooperation has been established to proceed with rescue, access management, technical assistance and rehabilitation under the coordination and guidance of the relevant government agencies.

6. Roster of expert manpower

In coordination with the relevant government agencies, a roster of volunteer engineers and subject-specific expert manpower has been prepared and collected for the collection of detailed damage details, reconstruction of affected settlements, and risk and sensitive damage assessment.

7. Study Expert Committee

A technical study committee has been formed with the participation of national and international experts in coordination and collaboration with the relevant government agencies to conduct a detailed study of the damage caused by the flood, its causes, effects and potential risks, and the study and research process has been initiated.

The NEA has further stated that it has formulated a future action plan to support further. According to the NEA, it will proceed with the upcoming work with priority, keeping in mind the immediate rescue and technical assistance after the flood, as well as the rehabilitation, reconstruction, risk reduction and long-term disaster management of the affected areas.

1. Coordination and Collaboration: Provide necessary technical support and facilitation through continuous coordination and collaboration with relevant government ministries and agencies, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and other stakeholders.

2. Mobilization of experts and volunteer engineers: Mobilize subject matter experts and volunteer engineers to the flood-affected local levels based on needs and priorities to provide technical support, assessment, and facilitation.

3. Long-term policy reform: Take initiatives for necessary policy, institutional, and technical reforms in collaboration with relevant subject matter experts, professional organizations, and stakeholders to minimize the long-term risks arising from floods and disasters.

4. Free technical assistance: Provide free technical consultation and assistance as needed for the safe reconstruction and rehabilitation of flood-affected private housing and community structures—schools, hospitals, service providers, offices, and other public structures—with community participation and collaboration.

5. Study and Research: Conduct detailed technical studies and research on the causes, impacts, risks, preparedness, early warning systems, and measures to minimize potential future damage in coordination and collaboration with international experts and related organizations.