Nepal, July 2 -- The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deploy helicopters immediately for search and rescue operations during disasters within the Kathmandu Valley.

Representatives of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), under the Home Ministry, and the Airlines Operators Association signed the MoU in the presence of Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.

The agreement is valid for one year and may be renewed upon mutual consent. Engineer Dinesh Prasad Bhatt, Executive Director of NDRRMA, and Manoj Karki, President of the Airlines Operators Association signed the agreement.

As per the MoU, the association will ensure...