SATV, Kathmandu, Sept. 3: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Biraj Bhakta Shrestha has said the government has mobilised all available technology, skilled manpower and resources for the search and rescue of people who remain unaccounted for at various tunnels and hydropower projects affected by the Bhotekoshi floods in Rasuwa.

Meeting the family members of employees missing from the Chilime Hydropower Project on Wednesday, Minister Shrestha said there had been no shortage of technology, skilled manpower or resources in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

However, he expressed concern that the expected results had not been achieved despite a week of continuous efforts.

Stating that the government was continuing search and rescue efforts despite the difficult circumstances, he urged the family members not to lose patience. 

He said the pain of receiving no information about the condition of their relatives for a week was profound and could not be expressed in words.

He said the government was equally distressed over its inability to obtain information about the missing citizens and civil servants.

"Every life is precious. The state should not and has not spared any effort in searching for a single life," said Minister Shrestha. 

“We will continue our efforts until the very last possibility. It is still not the time to give up hope. Let us make efforts and pray together, and keep hope alive,” he said.

Minister Shrestha said the government stood alongside the families of its citizens and civil servants and pledged that it would not allow them to feel alone during this difficult time.

During the meeting, secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Sarita Dawadi said search and rescue efforts were being carried out through coordination and cooperation among various government agencies. 

She said all available measures were being used as protecting the lives of citizens was the government’s primary responsibility.

Likewise, Acting Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority and Chairman of Chilime Hydropower Company Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha briefed the family members on the search and rescue efforts carried out so far. 

He said the company was making every possible effort to make the search and rescue operation more effective.