This year, over a million people will face the consequences of monsoon-related catastrophes including natural calamities and emergencies that may occur during the monsoon season, as per the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
The 17th meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayankaji Shrestha has given the responsibility to the NDRRMA for the related preparations.
An ‘Integrated Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan’ will be prepared by mentioning the actions to be taken by the relevant agencies to reduce the loss of human resources due to this year’s monsoon disaster.
The authority approximates that around 300,000 individuals will be affected in the Koshi province, 400,000 in Madhesh province, 95,000 in Bagmati province, 70,000 in Gandaki province, 200,000 in Lumbini province, 35,000 in Karnali province, 150,000 in Sudurpaschim province.
The authority has emphasized the ongoing preparations to establish early warning systems aimed at assisting individuals at risk of being impacted by monsoon-related disasters. These measures include the installation of intelligent sirens and the deployment of rescue ambulances.
ICIMOD initiated the implementation of an advanced flood prevention early warning system in 2015. They deployed three wireless sensors in Lalgadh and the villages of Kalapani and Sarpallo, located along the Ratu River in Nepal’s Mohattari district. Subsequently, in 2017, the system underwent upgrades, including the installation of sensors at Shrikhandi Bhittha, extending its coverage across the border.
In the DRRM Executive Meeting, the Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Keshav Kumar Sharma, informed that a plan has been made to mobilize machines from 126 locations to reach the ‘spot’ within 30 minutes of the road being blocked due to the monsoon disaster and to reopen it within 2 hours. Secretary Sharma said that 116 machines and 13 belay bridges are also kept on ‘standby’.
An ‘Integrated Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan’ will be prepared by mentioning the actions to be taken by the relevant agencies to reduce the loss of human resources due to this year’s monsoon disaster.
Similarly, the meeting has also decided to provide a grant of Rs 50,000 in two installments to the affected families whose houses were completely damaged due to the earthquakes in 2078 and 2079. 5 thousand 880 houses in Lamjung, Khotang, Doti, Acham, Bajura, Bajhang and Dadeldhura were completely damaged due to the earthquakes that passed through Lamjung in May 2078, Khotad in July 2078, Doti in Kartik 2079 and Bajura in January 2079.
