The government has formed a special task force to gather details of the damage caused by the recent rain-induced disasters across the country within the next 15 days. This decision is aimed at assessing the losses and ensuring timely compensation to the affected individuals. The flooding and landslides caused by heavy rains on September 27-28 resulted in 217 deaths with 28 people still missing, according to the latest update from the Home Ministry.
A meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Executive Committee, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, formed the task force on Monday. It comprises under-secretaries from various ministries, including Home Affairs, Finance, Health and Population, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Agriculture and Livestock, Urban Development, Energy, Water Resources, and Communications and Information Technology, along with experts from relevant sectors.
The ministries involved will immediately begin reconstruction of government and public buildings, transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and sectors like drinking water, schools, and health institutions. The meeting also recommended that the Council of Ministers endorse the Disaster-Sensitive Social Security Guidelines, 2081 BS and proposed necessary actions in accordance with Clause 39 of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2047 BS.
Additionally, the task force will identify beneficiaries and disburse the first installment of grants for temporary shelters within a week in line with the Temporary Shelter Guideline, 2081 BS. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport Management has been directed to restore disrupted roadways immediately to help stranded passengers reach their destinations.
The relief distribution for those affected will begin through a "one-door policy," and compensation for the families of deceased individuals will be provided according to the Disaster Rescue and Relief Standards, 2077, following the decision by the Council of Ministers on June 15.
The meeting also expressed gratitude to the volunteers involved in post-disaster efforts, including search and rescue, relief distribution, and clearing debris. To assist in the recovery, local levels have established the Disaster Management Volunteer Bureau, and national, provincial, district, and municipal bureaus have been instructed to mobilize volunteers actively.
The Provincial Disaster Management Executive Committee and Local Disaster Management Committees of the affected provinces will oversee post-disaster activities, including search and rescue, relief, treatment, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and recovery, as outlined by the Act.
The meeting also called for the Communication Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, 2081 to be approved within a week after gathering inputs from committee members. Additionally, the amendment process for the Emergency Warehouse Operation Procedure, 2081 will be initiated.
The Ministry of Health and Population will assess potential post-disaster epidemics and conduct public awareness programs and health camps in high-risk areas to prevent disease outbreaks. Furthermore, the Disaster-Affected Private Housing Retrofitting, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation Subsidy Procedure, 2081 will be amended and submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval. -- RSS