Himal Press 
GORKHA: More than 1,000 people have been rescued by helicopter from areas affected by floods in the Budhigandaki River basin.
A total of 1,044 people were rescued between Sunday and Thursday, said Netraprasad Sharma, assistant chief district officer of Gorkha.
Of them, 70 were foreign nationals.
People were stranded in the affected areas after the floods damaged trekking trails and bridges leading to northern Gorkha. They were rescued using helicopters operated by the Nepali Army, Sharma said.
According to him, 96 people were rescued on Sunday, the first day of the floods, followed by 321 on Monday and 186 on Tuesday. Another 441 people were rescued on Wednesday, he said.
Relief distribution has also been stepped up alongside rescue operations. With support from the government and various organizations, relief materials, including food, tents, mats, pillows, blankets, tarpaulins, solar equipment and generators, are being distributed, Sharma said.
Helicopters have been deployed for both rescue and relief operations after the floods damaged roads and trekking trails, cutting off access to the affected areas.
“Helicopters are also being used to distribute relief materials. Helicopters heading to the affected areas for rescue operations carry relief supplies, and on their return, they bring people back to safety,” Sharma said.
