Banke: Five out of the eight local levels in Banke district are currently without fire engines, posing a significant challenge in addressing fire incidents within these areas. Only Nepalgunj Sub-municipal Corporation, Kohalpur Municipality, and Narainapur Rural Municipality have fire engines at their disposal.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Nepalgunj is equipped with three fire engines, while Kohalpur and Narainapur each have one. Additionally, Nepalgunj Airport maintains two fire engines, and Nepal Oil Corporation Ranjha has one, ensuring some level of preparedness within specific zones of the district.
The District Administration Office has highlighted that the District Disaster Management Committee has urged all local levels in the district to ensure that fire engines, along with drivers, fuel, and water, are ready for immediate deployment. All fire engines across Banke have been placed on 24-hour standby to enhance rapid response capabilities.
Chief District Officer Dharmaraj Joshi emphasized the importance of having fire engines ready around the clock, with a focus on managing human resources effectively to tackle any fire-related emergencies.
The District Disaster Management Committee in Banke has also resolved to initiate activities aimed at controlling fire and wildfire incidents, particularly as the dry season approaches, increasing the risk of such events.