Kaski District Administration Office Implements Monsoon Response Plan-2083

Kaski. The District Administration Office, Kaski, is implementing the 'Monsoon Response Plan-2083' to minimize loss of life and property from monsoon-induced disasters. The response plan was presented at the District Disaster Management Committee meeting on Tuesday. Assistant Chief District Officer Chitrangat Baral stated that the response plan will be approved and implemented within three days after further study in consultation with the District Coordination Committee, Kaski, and the Red Cross Society, District. The disaster mitigation response plan prepared by the administration includes arrangements to make pre-monsoon preparedness, search and rescue, relief, and rehabilitation activities effective for monsoon-induced disasters such as floods, landslides, inundation, river erosion, and road blockades. Kaski is one of the highest rainfall districts in Nepal, and therefore, the risk of water-induced disasters is high compared to other disasters, so the plan has been made accordingly. According to the plan, during the monsoon, timely early warning will be provided about weather and potential risks, vulnerable settlements will be identified, district and local emergency operation centers will be kept ready, relief materials will be stored, and security agencies will be mobilized in a state of readiness 24 hours a day, said Assistant Chief District Officer Chitrangat Baral. The plan also prioritizes the safety of health, drinking water, sanitation, temporary housing, food, agriculture, livestock, schools and children, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The plan identifies areas along the Prithvi Highway, including Bijaypur, Pumdibhumdi, Chankhpur (Pame), Hemja, SuiKhet, Nayapul, and Lumle, as high-risk areas for landslides and road blockades. It is mentioned that if roads are blocked in such places, vehicle management will be 'held' at Amarsinghchowk, Chorepatan, Bhakunde, Harichowk, Nayapul, and Ghatt Khola. During disasters, the District Police Office, Armed Police Force, and Nepali Army will conduct coordinated search and rescue operations. The plan states that the District Police Office has 69 trained personnel and rescue equipment ready, while the Armed Police has 51 personnel, including 11 divers, and necessary water rescue equipment ready. Similarly, the Nepali Army has 35 personnel. "The response plan has been created with the objective of minimizing human, physical, and economic losses from monsoon-induced disasters. This will help in organizing disaster preparedness and response," said Assistant Chief District Officer Baral. As of Jestha 12 of the current fiscal year 2082/83, there have been 108 disaster incidents in the district, resulting in two deaths, 11 injuries, and an estimated loss of approximately Rs 6 crore 41 lakh 80 thousand.