Forced to not accept free satellite internet from Starlink amid US-China tensions

 Forced to not accept free satellite internet from Starlink amid US-China tensions

At a time when communication services have been affected due to devastating floods and landslides, the Nepal government has been unable to accept the free satellite internet service and kit announced by Starlink, a subsidiary of the American space technology company SpaceX. Although high-speed internet communication is urgently needed in the disaster area, long-standing domestic legal obstacles and the geopolitical sensitivity that may arise if American technology enters the Chinese border area have created a compelling situation in which Nepal cannot receive this humanitarian assistance.

After the disaster washed away roads, bridges and telecommunication towers, Starlink had announced on Saturday night through the social network X (Twitter) that it would provide free internet service and kit for Nepal. The company had stated that it was ready to provide free services to connect rescue teams, medical teams and families who were cut off from communication as soon as it received the necessary permission. Starlink can provide high-speed and low-latency internet service within minutes of unboxing in places with a power source and open sky.

However, according to Nepal's disaster management officials, the country's internal laws and geopolitical environment have become obstacles to bringing in this humanitarian aid. The legal debate to allow Starlink to operate in Nepal has not been concluded for a long time, which is why it has not been legally permitted. In addition, even its northern neighbor China has not been positive about operating the American satellite system in the sensitive Rasuwa area adjacent to the Chinese border.

A senior Nepalese government official active in disaster management told Tekpana, "Donors have been more proactive in providing assistance according to their own desires than our needs. We urgently need technology and equipment to search for dead bodies, but the US is offering Starlink internet. Even the Chinese side does not seem positive about this. As a result, Nepal is not in a position to immediately receive the free satellite internet and its kit provided by Starlink even if it wants to."

According to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, a major humanitarian crisis has arisen in various districts of the country due to the Bhotekoshi floods and landslides. Out of a total of 198 telephone towers damaged in the affected area, only 145 have been repaired and brought into operation so far. The remaining towers are still closed, including Ncell's Timure and Trishuli and Nepal Telecom's Timure, Chilime Khola and Trishuli 3-B, which have been completely damaged due to the flood.

To restore communication, preparations are underway to send 20 satellite phones received from the International Telecommunication Union to the affected area in coordination with the Nepal Telecommunication Authority, while a total of 3 hunting lines have been installed and brought into operation at the district emergency operation centers of Rasuwa and Nuwakot.

According to the Disaster Management Authority, 734 bodies have been found across the country due to floods and landslides, of which the highest number is 259 in Chitwan, 184 in Nawalparasi East, 82 in Nawalparasi West, 58 in Gorkha, 52 in Nuwakot, 50 in Dhading, 36 in Tanahun and 13 in Rasuwa.

2,498 citizens are still uncontacted. Those who are uncontacted include 933 people from hydropower projects, 589 foreign tourists, 562 from Rasuwa, 127 Nepalis who accompanied foreign tourists, 115 from Nuwakot, 65 from Makawanpur, 45 from the Nepal Army, 27 from the Nepal Police, 15 from the Customs Office, 13 from the Armed Police Force, 4 from the Immigration Office, and 3 from the Langtang National Park.

Blocked flow of Lhende River and additional risks

The risk of disaster has not yet been averted. According to the analysis of satellite images taken at 11:44 am on 11 Bhadra, the flow of Lhende River has been blocked in the coastal area about 18 kilometers upstream of the Rasuwagadhi border crossing, forming a lake with an area of ​​about 0.11 square kilometers. Local residents have been requested to be vigilant as the risk of the natural dam breaking and major flooding in the lower coastal area is still high.

Rescue, relief and road repair

A total of 18,708 security personnel, including 8,370 from the Nepal Army, 6,135 from the Nepal Police and 4,203 from the Armed Police Force, have been mobilized in the affected area. So far, 7,514 people have been rescued alive. 279 people trapped inside the tunnel of the hydropower project have been rescued by helicopter, while 261 flights have been made for air rescue.

A total of Rs 92.5 million has been provided to 15 local levels of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading for search, rescue and relief management. The displaced people of Nuwakot and Rasuwa have been placed in 27 temporary shelters, while diesel, petrol and aviation fuel have been stocked in depots to maintain regular fuel supply in the affected area. Although the Mugalin-Malekhu section of the Prithvi Highway on both sides and the alternative road routes of Rasuwa-Nuwakot have been opened for small vehicles after clearing the landslide, they have been blocked again since Sunday. The Prithvi Highway was closed after the road was washed away by a river in the Krishnabhir area of ​​Dhading.