Kathmandu: The government has crafted a draft of the National Action Plan-2083, aiming to reduce the potential risks from snowfall and cold waves in the mountainous, high-hilly, and Tarai-Madhes regions during the winter months. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has finalized this draft following extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the initiative was prompted by directives from Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, urging the Authority to enhance preparedness against snowfall and cold wave threats. NDRRMA Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Prasad Bhatt confirmed that efforts are underway to secure approval from the executive committee, chaired by the Home Minister, to implement the action plan.
The plan predicts that 29 mountain and high-hilly districts may face snowfall, while 21 districts in the Tarai region are likely to experience cold waves. Specific strategies have been integrated into the plan to adopt necessary precautions and minimize potential risks. This marks the government’s first attempt to issue a national action plan focused on mitigating the effects of snowfall and cold waves on human lives.
The NDRRMA highlights that heavy snowfall typically impacts mountain and high-hilly districts, while cold waves affect the Tarai districts from mid-November to mid-March. Districts like Jhapa, Sunsari, Morang, and several others are expected to bear the brunt of cold waves. Furthermore, the cold wave is anticipated to have a moderate impact on Udayapur, Makawanpur, Sindhuli, and Surkhet.
The action plan forecasts significant snowfall impact on the mountainous and high hill districts of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces. Notably, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, and other areas in Koshi province, along with various districts in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces, are predicted to be more affected.
Executive Chief Bhatt emphasized that the program’s implementation will aid vulnerable groups, including the underprivileged, senior citizens, children, people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, new mothers, and persons with disabilities, during the harsh winter months. The plan focuses on minimizing the impact of snowfall and cold waves, alongside making necessary relief arrangements.
The strategy involves identifying affected areas and target groups by December 1, updating data, and prioritizing beneficiaries as per the work plan. It also outlines disaster response preparations, damage reduction measures based on forecasts, and operationalizing forecasting and early warning mechanisms to ensure timely information dissemination to affected communities throughout Mangsir.