Around 2 million people estimated to be affected by monsoon-induced disasters

KATHMANDU: Around 2 million people are likely to be affected by landslide, flood and inundation among other monsoon-induced disasters, estimated the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

The Authority has prepared a response plan based on the estimation that around 1.9 million people from 421,000 households will be affected this monsoon.

Authority’s Spokesperson Dr Dijan Bhattarai shared that the estimation was made assessing the disaster risk in the past 11 years.

The Meteorological Forecasting Division has forecast above average rainfall in most parts of the country this monsoon.

“We analyzed all the trends relating to rainfall, deaths caused due to landslide and flood. On the basis of that we have devised a coordinated response plan for disaster risk reduction, rescue and resettlement among others,” shared spokesperson Dr Bhattarai.

The Authority last fiscal year had estimated that around 1.8 million people would be affected. Altogether 490 people lost their lives to landslide and flood related incidents. Likewise, a total of 34 people went missing in flood and 33 in landslide. The affected population turned out to be greater in number than the estimation, according to the Authority.

There were large number of human causalities and crops were heavily damaged by the unseasonal rainfall last year.

Last monsoon, there was 15 percent more rainfall than average and the exit of monsoon was delayed by 11 days. There is likelihood of repetition of the same pattern this monsoon.

As per the statistics provided by the Department, Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari districts in Province No 1 and Saptari in Madhesh Province are likely to receive more rainfalls comparatively.

Other parts of Terai region will experience average rainfall. There will be heavy rainfall in Sindhupalchwok and Ramechhap district in Bagmati Province, according to the Department while Kathmandu Valley will receive average rainfall.

Lumbini and Karnali Province and the southern part of Gandaki Province are predicted above average rainfall this monsoon.

Monsoon entered Province no 1 on June 5, few days earlier than the average time (June 13) and expanded up to Madesh, Bagmati and Gandaki Province last Thursday.

Monsoon season would generally end on September 23 in Nepal.