Kathmandu – Ncell has announced a further seven-day extension of the free services it has been providing in areas affected by the flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa. To facilitate communication and support rescue and relief efforts, Ncell will extend the free services for another seven days, effective from September 5 to September 11.
With this extension, Ncell’s voice, data and SMS services will continue to be available free of charge in the affected areas for another week. Earlier, on the day of the flood, August 26, Ncell had announced free voice, data and SMS services for three days in the affected areas. The free service period was subsequently extended by seven days until September 4.
“Ensuring uninterrupted communication during this difficult time is important, which is why we have decided to extend the free services in the affected areas for another seven days. With 92% of the affected sites already restored, we believe these free services will greatly help affected communities to stay connected with their families and loved ones, while also enabling teams involved in rescue and relief efforts to coordinate effectively,” said Upanga Dutta, Chief Consumer Business Officer of Ncell.
During disasters, communication services play a vital role in facilitating information exchange, coordination, search and rescue, and relief distribution. The free services have been helping people in affected communities stay in touch with their family members, relatives and teams engaged in rescue and relief efforts.
92% of affected sites restored
Ncell has restored 92% of its sites affected by the Bhotekoshi Flood and continues to provide services in the affected areas. The company is also carrying out the necessary work to restore the remaining affected sites.
A total of 27 Ncell sites were affected by the flood. On Thursday, the company restored its 25th affected site in Trishuli, Nuwakot. One site located at Ghatte Khola, Timure, Rasuwa, was completely destroyed by the flood. For the remaining site located at Tiru, Uttargaya, Rasuwa, Ncell is coordinating to transport the necessary equipment by helicopter and restore the service there.
Ncell has been supporting efforts to maintain communication services during disasters and contributing to search, rescue, relief and public awareness initiatives. The company has also been disseminating informational messages issued by relevant authorities through SMS, call tones and its social media pages and accounts.
Similarly, the day after the flood, Ncell, through the Ncell Foundation, provided Rs. 10 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund to support search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts.
