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Nepal Telecommunication Company Limited (Nepal Telecom) and Ncell have made telephone, SMS and internet services free of charge for residents in areas affected by the floods in Bhotekoshi.

Information and Communications Minister Dr. Bikram Timilsina had instructed Nepal Telecom to immediately provide free telephone and internet services to residents of the flood-affected areas, Minister's secretariat informed.

Nepal Telecom Spokesperson Kamal Lamichhane said residents in the affected areas would, receive unlimited voice services, 2GB of data per day and 50 free SMS messages for two days. The company has also been continuously sending SMS alerts to customers in and around the flood-affected areas, urging them to exercise caution.

According to Nepal Telecom, preliminary information shows that seven towers, two in Rasuwa and five in Nuwakot, have been damaged by the floods. A team from the company has already been deployed to the affected areas to carry out repairs and maintenance of the towers and service infrastructure.

Likewise, Ncell has announced that it will provide free voice and data services for three days in areas of Rasuwa district affected by the floods. The company has also announced that members of the public in the affected areas will receive 100 free SMS messages valid for three days.

The initiative is expected to help residents and others in the flood-affected areas stay in contact with one another more easily, the company said in a statement.

Ncell said it had taken the decision to ensure communication services during the emergency, noting that the company had consistently played an active role during disasters and supported emergency search and rescue operations and relief distribution.