Kathmandu: As many as two million people from 450,000 households are likely to be affected by this year’s monsoon, as assessed by the 32nd meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the meeting approved the Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, 2082 BS, which was developed by analyzing data from the Department of Meteorology. The plan estimates that 10 percent of the affected population might require rescue and relief operations.
A committee led by the National Disaster Risk Response and Management Authority (NDRRMA), including representatives from various stakeholder ministries and departments, reported that monsoon disasters are expected to impact approximately 457,145 households and a population of 1,997,731 across the country.
In the meeting, Executive Chief of the NDRRMA and Secretary of the Executive Committee, Dinesh Prasad Bhatta, presented a review of decisions from the previous meeting and a monitoring report on the implementation status of various strategic plans, including the management of the natural flow of the Bagmati River at Chobhar gorge.
NDRRMA spokesperson Ram Bahadur KC stated that the approved action plan outlines the responsibilities of relevant ministries, departments, and bodies regarding disaster preparedness and response. It also includes contact details for preparedness and response, an inventory of materials, and details of skilled human resources to address the disasters.
KC further noted that the action plan emphasizes monthly monitoring, evaluation, and review of the disaster situation. According to monsoon forecasts from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, extreme rainfall is expected, with lower minimum and higher maximum temperatures.
The NDRRMA has formulated the disaster response national action plan based on these forecasts and recommendations from stakeholders and organizations.