Government Intensifies Monsoon Disaster Preparedness

Sabika Shrestha

The Nepal government has intensified nationwide monsoon disaster preparedness, rolling out key response measures including the designation of contact persons and the pre-positioning of rescue and relief supplies.

The country’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has identified Lumbini, Koshi, and Madhesh provinces, as the most disaster-prone during this year’s monsoon while allocating additional rescue teams, relief supplies, and emergency resources to those areas.

A total of 26,000 rescue personnel from Nepal’s three security agencies have been deployed nationwide as part of this year’s monsoon preparedness.

All three tiers of government- Federal, provincial and local governments have also activated dedicated rescue and relief mechanisms.

The government says rescue teams are expected to reach disaster sites within one hour in areas with accessible road networks.

Authorities say people affected by floods, landslides, inundation, or other disasters can call the emergency hotline 1234 leading to rescue and relief operations through the respective district response system.

The government says rescue teams are expected to reach disaster sites within one hour in areas with accessible road networks.

Shanti Mahat, Spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), said authorities have intensified monsoon preparedness in Lumbini, Koshi, and Madhesh provinces, which are expected to face the highest disaster risk this year, while Karnali is likely to be comparatively less affected. She said more resources, trained responders, rescue equipment, and volunteers have been deployed, with over 26,000 security personnel on standby nationwide to respond immediately to emergencies. Rescue operations are already ongoing in several locations.

The Government has estimated that this year’s monsoon is likely to affect around 51,868 households or more than 226,000 people, across the country.

The prediction follows after last year’s monsoon disasters claimed 495 lives and directly impacted 10,823 families.