KATHMANDU: The government has finalized two separate national action plan drafts aimed at mitigating risks from heavy snowfall in the Himalayan and high-hill regions, and cold waves in the Tarai during winter.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the drafts were refined after consultations with all relevant stakeholders. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal instructed the authority to immediately prepare necessary measures to minimize risks from both snowfall and cold waves.
NDRRMA Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Prasad Bhatt said the action plans are now being readied for approval from the authority’s executive committee chaired by the Home Minister.
The snowfall-focused plan identifies 29 districts in the Himalayan and high-hill belts as highly vulnerable. It outlines special precautionary measures and strategic interventions aimed at reducing disruptions and potential damage during heavy snowfall.
Similarly, the cold-wave action plan lists 21 districts as highly affected. In Koshi Province, Jhapa, Sunsari and Morang are expected to face severe impact, while in Madhes Province, Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa are identified as high-risk.
In Gandaki Province, Nawalparasi (East), and in Lumbini Province, Nawalparasi (West), Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke and Bardiya are expected to be affected. Likewise, Kailali and Kanchanpur in Sudurpaschim are listed as high-impact districts. Udayapur, Makwanpur, Sindhuli and Surkhet fall under the less-affected category.
This is the first time Nepal has prepared national action plans specifically targeting snowfall and cold-wave risks. Their primary objective is to strengthen coordination among government bodies, improve preparedness, and minimize loss of life and property.
According to NDRRMA, Himalayan districts typically face heavy snowfall from December to March, while Tarai districts experience severe cold waves during the same period.
The plan identifies seven districts in Koshi—Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Panchthar, Tehrathum and upper Bhojpur—as highly prone to heavy snowfall. In Bagmati Province, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa and Dhading fall under the high-risk category.
In Gandaki, Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Baglung and Kaski are listed as vulnerable, while in Lumbini, only East Rukum is considered highly affected.
In Karnali Province, Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu, Humla and Kalikot are expected to be severely affected, whereas in Sudurpaschim, Bajura, Bajhang, Darchula, Baitadi and Dadeldhura are listed as high-risk snowfall districts.
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