Effective disaster preparedness attributed for reduction of damage: Home Minister

Kathmandu, August 11: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that a relatively less damage by monsoon hazards this year is attributed to effective disaster preparedness.     

Speaking today at a meeting of the Federalism Enablement and National Concerns Committee under the National Assembly, the Minister said, "This year's monsoon was marked by excessive rainfalls. However, the loss is relatively less than the rainfall ratio."     

"We are working regarding disaster preparedness as per our commitments," he added.     

The meeting discussed efforts in the management of floods, disasters, and other monsoon hazards and future actions.     

The Minister highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to manage monsoon-related incidents.     

As he said, monsoon is expected to take around one and half months to depart and we are more alert to potential incidents of disasters when soil gets relatively wetter this time due to the occurrence of rainfall more than average.     

According to the Minster, the government received relief and rescue materials worth Rs 50 million from the assistance of the Chinese government and such materials have been stored in various parts of the country. Likewise, the government is in the process of receiving additional relief materials worth around Rs 170 million.     

According to data provided by the Minister to the meeting, the country recorded 1,212 incidents of monsoon disasters to date since June 10 and 170 deaths from landslides, floods, excessive rainfall, and lighting, with 197 injuries. Likewise, 44 people have gone missing.     

He also apprised the meeting that a report regarding the conclusion of a study report about the Simaltal bus accidents and an action plan for its implementation has been achieved and the government will respond accordingly. A task force coordinated by joint-secretary Chhabi Rijal was formed to study the incident that occurred at Simaltal of Bharatpur metropolis-29 at around 3:30 am on July 12, causing a huge human loss.     

The lawmakers present in the meeting raised concerns about unsafe routes and a delay in compensating survivors of disasters. They insisted on the need to determine priorities of disaster preparedness, change a development model, pay proper attention to disaster mitigation, ensure prompt rescue and relief efforts and to well manage the transport system well during the festival times.