Kathmandu: Nepal's public sector, private companies and individuals have pledged billions of Nepalese rupees to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund as the Himalayan nation responds to devastating flash floods that have killed 675 people.
More than रु2.295 billion has been donated to the fund since the floods hit Nepal, with its balance rising to रु4.09 billion from रु2.17 billion, following the latest contributions.
Among the largest corporate contributions announced on Friday were रु150 million from Surya Nepal Private Limited and रु50 million from the Jyoti Group, while Prime Commercial Bank and Agricultural Development Bank contributed रु30 million each. Nepal Life Insurance pledged रु25.1 million.
Eighty-seven-year-old philanthropist Raji Rana also handed over रु10.98 million to Finance Minister Swarnim Wagle on Friday for relief efforts. Ncell Foundation announced रु10 million in financial support, while the Nepal Chamber of Commerce handed over 17 surveillance drones to the Police Headquarters to assist in rescue and relief operations.
The contributions will help authorities treat the injured and provide food and shelter to families displaced by the disaster, The Kathmandu Post reported.
The flash floods swept through towns and villages on Wednesday, washing away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges and damaging hydropower projects. The death toll rose to 675 on Saturday, while nearly 3,000 people remained missing, including about 2,426 in Nepal and at least 554 in Tibet's Gyirong County. Nearly 2,500 people, including 163 foreigners, were evacuated as rescue operations continued amid intermittent rainfall.