Armed Police Force Establishes 54 Temporary Monsoon Response Bases Across Nepal

Kathmandu. The Armed Police Force has established temporary monsoon response bases in 54 different locations across the country for monsoon-related disaster response. Temporary bases have been set up to identify disaster-prone areas where it would take time to mobilize for disaster rescue from Armed Police offices.

Accordingly, six bases have been established in Koshi Province, 11 in Madhesh, 16 in Bagmati, four in Gandaki, seven in Lumbini, two in Karnali, and eight in Sudurpashchim Province.

The Armed Police has established disaster management bases in 16 locations in the Himalayas, hills, and Terai, keeping the necessary manpower and resources ready. Permanent bases have already been established in Dhankuta, Sunsari, Bara, Saptari, Dhading, Sindhuli, Makwanpur, Kavrepalanchok, Myagdi, Gorkha, Dang, Surkhet, Jumla, Dadeldhura, Doti, and Kailali.

"These are permanent offices, which remain throughout the year," said Armed Police Spokesperson and Armed Police Deputy Inspector General Netra Bahadur Karki. "Plans have been made to respond to disasters using available resources and means."

Informing that 8,180 Armed Police personnel have been kept on 24-hour standby to combat this year's monsoon-related disasters, he said that all Armed Police personnel will be provided with disaster management refresher training by the end of this Asar.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has projected that although below-average rainfall is expected this monsoon, approximately 51,886 households, comprising about 226,661 people, will be affected by monsoon-related disasters across the country.

According to the Authority, the estimated affected population includes 38,736 in Koshi, 35,361 in Madhesh, 32,897 in Bagmati, 21,641 in Gandaki, 51,626 in Lumbini, 13,175 in Karnali, and 33,227 in Sudurpashchim Province.

To rescue those affected by floods and inundation, Spokesperson Karki informed that 82 'raft boats' and 53 'motor boats' of the Armed Police, along with 4,710 highly trained skilled Armed Police personnel and 134 trained divers, have been kept ready with necessary equipment in 11 high-risk locations nationwide.

Disaster Indicator Network of 168,000 Established

The Armed Police has created a network of 168,956 disaster indicators to receive timely information related to disasters. These indicators will immediately inform the nearest Armed Police unit if a disaster occurs in their vicinity.

The Armed Police has launched the 'APF-Community Alert System' (APF-CAS) to facilitate information flow during disasters. Spokesperson Karki informed that this system provides immediate information to the operations room at each battalion level, enabling swift mobilization orders.