KATHMANDU: With the arrival of the monsoon season, lawmakers have urged the government to step up preparations to mitigate the risks of floods and landslides across the country.
During an emergency meeting of the House of Representatives held today, they expressed concern over the lack of reconstruction of infrastructure damaged during last year’s disasters and called for immediate preventive measures.
Lawmaker Suryaman Dong criticized the government’s delay in assessing the damages caused by the floods and landslides of September 2024. He also raised concerns about the sluggish pace of reconstruction and repair of critical infrastructure, warning that the country remains vulnerable to repeat disasters if proactive steps are not taken.
Adding to the concerns, Lawmaker Lekhnath Dahal highlighted the dire condition of the BP Highway, which was severely damaged during last year’s monsoon. He said that the highway remains blocked in 14 different locations, hindering transportation and posing a serious risk to public safety. Dahal also accused the government of ignoring the urgent need for relief and rescue operations in the Banepa and Panauti areas, where heavy rainfall this week led to flooding in the Roshi River.
Meanwhile, Lawmaker Amaresh Kumar Singh drew the government’s attention to growing mismanagement at Tribhuvan International Airport. He described the airport as chaotic and overcrowded, stating that the cramped conditions have increased risks to both passengers and their belongings.
Raising additional concerns, MP Chandra Bahadur Bishwakarma spoke about the rise in road accidents across the country. He also demanded a thorough investigation into the recent suicide of a prisoner in Jajarkot District Jail, emphasizing the need for accountability and improved oversight within the correctional system.
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