KATHMANDU: As security forces and helicopters are being mobilised to rescue people affected by the sudden flooding in Rasuwa, the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has called on experienced mountaineers and adventure professionals to join the emergency response.

The association has sought volunteers with technical skills in mountain and high-altitude rescue, canyon rescue, swift-water rescue, rope rescue, river crossing, evacuation and emergency medical support.

It has also appealed to trained search, navigation and emergency-response professionals to register for deployment.

The call comes as the government has mobilised the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, with helicopters being deployed for rescue and relief operations following the flood along the Rasuwa–Trishuli corridor.

The flood entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibetan side around 9 am Wednesday, damaging areas including Timure and Syabrubesi and raising concerns along the downstream Trishuli corridor.

The cause of the sudden surge is yet to be established, with authorities investigating whether it was triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood or another phenomenon.

The NMA said volunteers must register with the association before proceeding to affected areas so they can be coordinated and deployed according to operational requirements and safety conditions.

It also cautioned that volunteers should not independently enter dangerous flood zones or attempt rescues without proper equipment, risk assessment and coordination with designated authorities and professional rescue teams.

The association said the appeal was aimed at bringing Nepal’s experienced mountaineering and adventure community into the wider rescue and relief effort.

Rescue coordination: Rajendra Bahadur Lama, General Secretary: 9851027397; Bikram Karki, Rescue Coordinator: 9851139945.