Key Takeaways
- 923 inmates relocated to upper building after floodwaters entered compound
- 50 inmates escaped, later recaptured by security forces
- PM Balendra Shah praised Nepal Police and Armed Police Force for composure
- Flood damaged administrative building, security post, perimeter wall
- 13,391 people rescued so far by security agencies in flood-hit areas
- 82 security personnel remain missing (45 Army, 25 Police, 12 APF)
- Army, Police, APF continue search, rescue, body management and disease prevention
KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 7
Fifty-two security personnel raced to move all 923 inmates to an upper building as floodwaters swept into a prison compound in Nuwakot, before recapturing 50 inmates who escaped after the flood breached its walls and gate.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah highlighted the incident in a social media post on Sunday, praising the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force personnel deployed to guard the Central Prison at Khampa Camp in Bidur Municipality-6.
According to Shah, the security personnel remained composed as the Bhotekoshi flood of August 26 caused extensive damage along the river and reached the prison area. Floodwater mixed with mud entered the ground floors of inmate housing, damaging the administrative building, security post and perimeter wall.
Taking advantage of the breach, 50 inmates fled up to 100 metres from the prison, but were later brought back under control. Some security personnel were injured when inmates inside attacked them, Shah said.
The compound remains covered in mud, with access roads and water supply disrupted. Security personnel have been carrying water from distant sources and guarding the prison using farm paths as temporary routes.
Shah said the prison incident was only one example of the work being carried out by the country’s three security agencies in flood-hit areas.
According to his post, the Nepali Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force have rescued 13,391 people from affected areas, using road and helicopter transport, and at times carrying injured people to safety.
The rescue effort has also come at a cost: 45 Nepali Army personnel, 25 Nepal Police personnel and 12 Armed Police Force personnel remain missing.
Currently, 9,287 army personnel, 7,975 police personnel and 4,203 APF personnel are deployed in flood-affected areas. The Army has established forward headquarters, medical rescue teams and air bases in Nuwakot and Rasuwa, while the APF has deployed divers, rope-rescue teams, drones and canine units. Nepal Police is leading body management and search operations.
Shah thanked the security personnel and their families, saying the government would not compromise on their safety, services and facilities.