Flooding and landslides: 85 dead, 46 still missing
Kathmandu - To date, 85 people have died while 46 went missing in the incidences of natural disasters since the beginning of monsoon this year in the country. In a meeting of the House of Representatives, State Affairs and Good Governance Committee today, Secretary at the Home Ministry Maheshwor Neupane presented these figures.
Similarly, 134 houses have been completely damaged by landslides and floods at different parts of the country. Stating that Sindhupalchowk, Gorkha and Rasuwa, among the districts largely affected by the 2015 April earthquake remained as the most vulnerable zones to monsoon disasters, the home secretary said the loss assessment so far suggested that Rautahat was the most affected district by the disaster across the State 2.
It is stated that 11,000 houses in 14 districts are at high risk of flood and landslide and 707 houses need to be instantly relocated. National Disaster Risk Mitigation and Management Authority executive director Anil Pokhrel said districts in the mid-hill faced the high risk of flood and landslide and the Tarai districts fell under the constant risk of inundation.
The analysis of monsoon activities of the past year indicates that first 30 days of monsoon are more dangerous in terms of water-inducted disasters such as landslide and flood, he said. He went on to say that disaster management response plans are being implemented bearing in mind the disaster risk. Relief and rescue logistics management storehouses and human assistance centers have been established at several places.
The floods and landslides have caused human casualties and property damages in Parbat, Palpa, Bajhang, Gulmi, Sindhupalchok, Rukum, Kaski, Jajarkot, Dolakha, Sarlahai, Tanahun, and Sankhuwasabha districts in this rainy season. On the occasion, it is shared that the Prime Minister Natural Disaster and Relief Fund has Rs 1.80 billion in deposit till today.
The Ministry has stated that haphazardly constructed developmental projects, torrential rainfall and fragile hilly and mountainous regions due to several earthquakes and aftershocks were the causes behind the landslides in rainy season in the country. Meanwhile, government is preparing to provide relief to the victims of floods and landslides following the guidelines applied to the quake victims.
On the occasion, lawmakers have urged the government to forge coordination with all three-tier of governments for effective relief and integration of the affected and displaced ones. Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa said that the Ministry was making the policy, programmes, mechanisms and laws to combat and minimize the disaster risk and their effects.
He further shared that the disasters were caused by humans not by nature thus that should be tackled scientifically. He further committed to ensure relief to the victims and further plans and programmes would be made to manage vulnerable and unscientifically development settlements.
