Approximately 24,500 Gas Cylinders Being Delivered to Kathmandu via Alternative Routes
Following road blockages caused by floods and landslides, Nepal Oil Corporation has been supplying petroleum products to the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts through alternative routes. The corporation has arranged to deliver approximately 24,500 gas cylinders to the valley today and plans to increase the regular supply volume from tomorrow onward. For rescue operations, air refueling services have been established at the Nepal Army barracks in Nuwakot, from where 1,002,000 liters of aviation fuel have already been dispatched since September 25.
Today alone, arrangements have been made to transport around 24,500 gas cylinders of various brands to the valley, with plans to maintain and increase this supply regularly starting tomorrow. As of September 18, due to continuous heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides have disrupted the road network, prompting Nepal Oil Corporation to supply petroleum products and cooking LPG to Kathmandu Valley and neighboring districts through alternative routes.
On September 25, flooding in the Bhote Koshi River caused significant damage to lives and property across districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan. The corporation has been managing the sale and distribution of petroleum products and gas to support ongoing rescue efforts in the affected regions. Additionally, on September 29, the Trishuli River caused road collapses along the Krishna Bhir section of the Prithvi Highway, blocking access as petroleum tankers and gas delivery vehicles were unable to pass.
Addressing these challenges, the corporation has shifted petroleum product distribution for Kathmandu and nearby districts to the Tribhuvan Rajpath alternative route. For the LPG industry, gas cylinders are being filled in Terai-based industries and transported via the same route. Furthermore, in coordination with the Nepal Army, aviation fuel refueling services for helicopters engaged in search and rescue operations are being operated from the army barracks in Nuwakot.
Since September 25, 1,002,000 liters of aviation fuel have been dispatched for refueling operations, and these services are continuing regularly from the same barracks, according to the corporation. To facilitate rescue operations, the corporation’s Bagmati Regional Office in Thankot has supplied 1,050,000 liters of petrol and 2,020,000 liters of diesel to operational petrol pumps in flood-affected areas. Additionally, arrangements have been made to supply petrol and diesel on public holidays as needed.
The corporation has also arranged necessary gas supplies for flood victims housed in various shelters in the affected areas. In coordination with the Nepal LPG Industry Association, 1,250 gas cylinders are being provided, with 500 cylinders scheduled for delivery to Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts upon the request of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, as shared by Nepal Oil Corporation spokesperson Manoj Thakur.