Geological study to be held of landslide-hit areas of west Nepal

KATHMANDU: The government is planning to carry out a geological study of the landslide-affected areas of the western region of the country.

A meeting of the Monsoon Response Command Post of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) held Sunday decided to conduct a preliminary geological study of the landslide-hit areas at Thawang and Sunchhahari rural municipalities in Rolpa, Triveni municipality in Bajura and Bheri municipality in  Jajarkot district.

The command post has also decided to deploy a study team in the field within three days under the leadership of NDRRMA, including representatives from the concerned agencies. The team will have the participation from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology.

Likewise, the Monsoon Response Command Post has directed the concerned agencies to effectively advance the search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation works as the monsoon-induced disasters have caused havoc in different districts, according to the NDRRMA.

The NDRRMA has expressed its serious concern to the loss caused due to the landslides in some districts, and has urged to immediately expedite the rescue and relief operations targeting the affected households.

Today’s meeting of the command post has asked the concerned district administration offices, district disaster management committee and local levels to ensure treatment to the injured ones for free and provide relief materials to the affected households based on a rapid assessment of the disasters.

Similarly, the NDRRMA has directed for the construction of temporary housing for those affected from the disasters and initiate processes for retrofitting of the private houses and provide grant for the reconstruction and rehabilitation at the earliest possible time.

The NDRRMA has also urged the people to exercise high alertness during the monsoon season as the risk of landslide has increased due to torrential rain in the hilly and mountainous regions in the country.

Furthermore, the local residents have been advised to avoid non-essential travel as the risks of inundation, flooding, flash flood and debris flows remain high in different parts of the country.