Kathmandu. Nepal Water and Energy Development Company (NWEDC), the main contractor Dusan Ircapacity and subcontractors Andritz and Power China have started providing immediate financial relief to the families of the workers and employees affected by the floods.

The financial assistance is being provided in the bank account of the concerned employee or to the nearest authorized person. The nearest beneficiary will be able to contact the concerned contractor company to verify their identity and coordinate with the payment process.

In addition to the immediate relief, NWEDC and the contracting companies have also been providing psychosocial counseling services to the affected workers, employees and families of the disappeared workers.

The companies working on the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1 Hydropower Project have also initiated the process to prepare a support and compensation package for their workers and employees affected by the floods as per the relevant laws and company policies.

The workers who were rescued during the floods have been successfully treated and discharged from the hospital. The companies are continuously assisting in the treatment of the injured workers.

An additional 21-member rescue team from Dusan has already reached the camp at the project site on September 9 for the search and rescue work. The team has started identifying the places where temporary camps can be set up to facilitate further search and rescue operations.

The company said that difficulty in reaching the project site was one of the main reasons for the delay in search and rescue operations. As of September 9, 2019, it is estimated that 512 workers are still missing or out of contact.

NWEDC and its contractor companies are continuously supporting the efforts of the security agencies and the Nepali rescue team in the ongoing search and rescue work. The companies and contractors have been providing necessary materials to the security agencies to facilitate the rescue work.

The company said it will start the process of airlifting large equipment to the project site to speed up the search and rescue work.

Representatives from Dusan, Andritz and Power China will be available to receive questions and suggestions from the families of the workers and employees. In addition, the companies will continue to do everything possible to support the ongoing search and rescue efforts.