Gandaki Province Chief Minister Stresses Community Awareness for Disaster Mitigation

Pokhara. Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendraraj Pandey has stated that regular community-level awareness and preparedness are necessary to minimize potential accidents in rivers and lakes. Chief Minister Pandey expressed this view while addressing an artificial rescue exercise program organized jointly by the District Administration Office, Kaski, and security agencies in Pokhara. He mentioned that early warning systems, effective coordination, and regular drills play a significant role in reducing human and material losses during disasters. He clarified that the provincial government has prioritized disaster management and mitigation programs, keeping such risks in mind. Recalling that Nepal's tourist capital Pokhara is known as a city of lakes, the Chief Minister said that the lakes here contribute greatly to tourism and economic activities. He also emphasized the need to enhance the readiness and rescue capabilities of security agencies to prevent potential accidents in tourist areas and ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property. Chief Minister Pandey said, 'Gandaki Province is as beautiful in nature as it is sensitive due to its geographical structure. Due to diverse geography, rivers, and lakes, the risk of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, inundation, and storms is increasing here every year.' He believes that such artificial exercises are effective in boosting the morale of security agencies and stakeholders who are immediately deployed for rescue operations during potential disasters.