. KATHMANDU: Lawmakers representing the opposition parties in the National Assembly (NA) have registered a motion of urgent public importance to draw the attention of the Home Minister, citing the government’s poor preparedness for the management of monsoon-induced disasters.
The proposal registered as per Rule 67 of the National Assembly Regulations, 2075 states that the risk of natural disasters like flood, landslide, inundation and glacial lake outburst has increased with the monsoon becoming active. The proposal cites the ‘Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan-2083’, which states that 226,661 people in 51,808 households across the country might be affected by monsoon-induced disasters this year. Presenting the government data, the lawmakers said that 3,074 people have died, 502 have gone missing, 4,769 injured and 33,198 families have been affected due to floods, landslides, heavy rains and lightning in the past decade.
Citing the example of floods and landslides of September 2081, they have said that although the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had issued advance warning, there was a huge loss of life and property due to lack of timely evacuation of people from vulnerable areas, management of road and transport and search and rescue works.
The proposal has objected to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) being leaderless due to the ‘Special Provision Ordinance on Removal of Public Officials, 2083’. Opposition lawmakers have accused the government of being insensitive to leave the central body of disaster management without a full-time leader at a time when there is a high risk of monsoon-induced disasters.
The proposal also states that there is a lack of effective coordination and integrated command system among the federal, provincial and local levels, district administration, security bodies and other concerned bodies.
Questions have also been raised about the government’s preparedness in high-risk areas including the high-risk BP Highway, Narayangadh-Muglin road section, Daunne, Siddhababa, and hilly roads in Karnali and Sudurpaschim.
Opposition lawmakers have demanded a six-point reply from the government. The committee has demanded clear information on monsoon preparedness and response, implementation status of the National Action Plan, prioritization of vulnerable settlements, preparation of rescue human resources and equipment, resolution of leadership vacuum in the National Disaster Authority, effectiveness of early warning system, status of rescue materials, budget and relief fund, alternative mechanism to disseminate information to the remote areas, senior citizens and people with disabilities and preparations for rescue, relief and rehabilitation after disasters ।
Lawmakers representing the opposition parties have registered a motion of urgent public importance demanding that the government make immediate and effective preparations for minimizing the loss of life and property in the monsoon-induced disasters, inform the parliament and issue necessary directives.
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