Over 1,000 Deaths Recorded in Bagmati Province Due to Disasters Over Past Decade

Kathmandu. A total of 1,038 people have lost their lives in various disaster incidents in Bagmati Province over a period of 10 years. In the past decade in Bagmati Province, 1,038 individuals died in various natural and non-natural disaster events.

According to data from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Law of the Province, 1,038 people died and 181 went missing across the 13 districts of the province from 2072 BS to the end of Ashad 2082 BS. The Ministry stated that the disaster incidents during this period caused economic damage exceeding NPR 6.95 billion. The Ministry's report indicates that 6,839 disaster incidents occurred across the province in the 10-year span. In these disasters, 2,311 people were injured, and 16,653 families were directly affected.

Due to disasters, 4,727 houses were completely destroyed across the province, while 5,896 houses sustained partial damage. The total economic loss is reported by the Ministry to be equivalent to NPR 6,954,171,718.

• Most Incidents in Kathmandu, Most Deaths in Chitwan

According to the statistics, Kathmandu district recorded the highest number of incidents, with 1,778 events over 10 years. In terms of human casualties, Chitwan saw the highest number of deaths with 149, followed by Sindhupalchok with 116 deaths. Sindhupalchok also recorded the highest number of missing persons (65).

By district, 119 people died in various disaster incidents in Kavre, followed by 113 in Kathmandu, 112 in Makwanpur, 90 in Dhading, 78 in Lalitpur, 68 in Sindhuli, 53 in Rasuwa, 44 in Dolakha, 41 in Ramechhap, 36 in Nuwakot, and 19 in Bhaktapur.

A total of 2,311 people were injured in various disaster incidents over the past 10 years. Statistics show that Kathmandu district had the highest number of injuries (447), while Ramechhap district had the lowest (66). The breakdown of injured persons is: Kathmandu 447, Makwanpur 391, Chitwan 317, Kavre 168, Sindhuli 151, Dhading 137, Sindhupalchok 133, Lalitpur 126, Bhaktapur 117, Dolakha 93, Nuwakot 87, Rasuwa 78, and Ramechhap 66.

• Most Fires, Landslides Most Fatal

Examining the nature of the incidents, the highest number of events over 10 years were fires, totaling 4,023 incidents. These fires resulted in 180 deaths and caused losses exceeding NPR 5.42 billion. However, in terms of human toll, landslides proved to be the most fatal.

In 928 landslide incidents across the province, 467 people lost their lives, and 107 went missing. Floods, occurring in 341 incidents, caused 100 deaths and resulted in damages worth NPR 1.19 billion. Lightning strikes claimed 114 lives, and animal attacks resulted in 73 fatalities.

The Ministry's data indicates a high risk of landslides and floods in rural and hilly districts of the province. Across the province, there were 4,023 fire incidents, 928 landslides, 372 lightning strikes, 356 forest fires, 341 floods, 338 animal attacks, 258 heavy rain incidents, 104 windstorms, and 109 incidents including earthquakes, snakebites, and air accidents.

• Over NPR 160 Million Spent on Private Housing Reconstruction

The Ministry has announced an increase in its proactive role in disaster risk reduction, response, and reconstruction within the province. According to Rabita Karki, Information Officer for the Ministry, the Ministry has undertaken significant tasks ranging from relief for flood, landslide, and fire victims to the establishment of integrated command posts, and has also worked on private housing reconstruction.

She stated that the Ministry provided NPR 165,705,000 in cost-sharing for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of private residences affected by monsoon-related events and fires. Additionally, NPR 23 million was provided to local levels for monsoon disaster mitigation, and of the decision to provide NPR 79 million to 30 local levels for the protection of vulnerable settlements and infrastructure maintenance, NPR 38.5 million has been disbursed so far.

She further informed that NPR 6.5 million was allocated from the Disaster Management Fund for immediate response, at a rate of NPR 500,000 per district across all 13 districts of the province. The Ministry has handed over disaster relief materials to District Administration Offices, security agencies, and local levels.

To ensure quick and efficient action during disasters, the Ministry has established a 'Unified Command Team' and a 'Monsoon Response Command Post'. Volunteer groups have also been formed in local levels to be deployed during disasters. Capacity building has been supported through various training sessions, awareness programs, and mock drills conducted in locations including the Narayani River. Information Officer Karki stated that the procurement and storage of relief and rescue materials have been strengthened by constructing provincial warehouses in Hetauda, Nuwakot, and Kavre.

• Disaster Management: From Budget Neglect to Shortage of Skilled Manpower

Disaster management efforts in Bagmati Province, which has been bearing significant losses due to disasters, continue to appear challenging. According to the Ministry, problems are evident in policy, technical, and managerial sectors.

The Ministry reports that the biggest obstacle in disaster management is seen in the budget formulation process. There is a tendency not to prioritize disaster management when formulating annual budgets and programs, and not to consider disaster risk reduction and resilience during construction activities.

According to Ministry Information Officer Karki, the disaster management system is only becoming 'reactive,' and investment in disaster risk assessment and preparedness is lacking. She noted that the extent of damage is increasing because the focus is excessively on 'response' actions taken after an event occurs. She also highlighted the conspicuous absence of a practice of 'insurance' for financial management of disaster risks.

A shortage of skilled manpower required for disaster management is creating further problems, she stated. She mentioned difficulties in task execution due to a lack of geologists and other technical personnel needed for identifying high-risk areas and conducting risk analysis, as well as the absence of an integrated system for keeping records of disaster incidents and actions taken across the province, and limited access to such data.

The Ministry has reported a shortage in the stock of necessary relief and rescue materials during disasters, including food, non-food items, and modern rescue equipment. According to the Ministry, reduced activity in various thematic areas designated for disaster management and a lack of effective coordination and collaboration among government agencies have further complicated management efforts.