KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has said the risk of disasters remains as floods, landslides, inundation, strong winds and lightning continue to affect various parts of the country.
Issuing a public appeal, Shah urged people living along riverbanks and in hilly areas to remain highly alert. He also advised people to avoid travel unless necessary and to contact the toll-free number 1234 in case of an emergency.
According to Shah, 21 people have died in various districts since Ashoj 8 due to lightning, floods, landslides, strong winds and continuous rainfall. Five people have been injured, while five others remain missing.
Shah said there have also been reports of a person missing in an avalanche in Manang and that details are being collected.
According to the Prime Minister, 439 monsoon-related incidents have occurred across the country due to floods, landslides, inundation and lightning. The incidents have damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, hydropower projects and drinking water systems.
Shah said temporary accommodation has been arranged for families affected by the disasters in coordination with local governments. Security personnel have been mobilized to search for missing people and rescue those trapped in floods, as well as livestock.
He said the East-West Highway was closed as a precaution after a cruise ship swept away by floodwaters in the Narayani River became stuck under the bridge. The Prithvi Highway, BP Highway and Kanti Highway, among other roads, have also been affected by floods and landslides.
According to Shah, power supply totaling 1,013.2 megawatts has been disrupted in areas including the Kaligandaki Corridor, Marsyangdi and Seti-Madi corridors due to flooding. Hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 318 megawatts have been completely shut down after transmission line towers collapsed, while generation at projects with a combined capacity of 695.2 megawatts has been suspended as a precaution due to the risk.
He said cross-border movement through the Gaddachowki border point in Kanchanpur has also been affected after the water level in the Mahakali River rose. Water levels have also increased in the Seti, Narayani and Kamala rivers, while transportation has been halted in the Kulekhani area.
Shah said farmers have suffered significant damage to paddy crops, vegetables and other agricultural produce due to floods and strong winds.
He said the government is monitoring the spread of misinformation, breaches of disaster victims’ privacy and black marketing. Shah said spreading misleading information during a crisis would not be tolerated.
“We will face this disaster with patience, restraint and unity,” Shah said.
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