KATHMANDU: The chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee formed to study climate change in the Himalayas and the Bhote-Koshi/Trishuli disaster will be elected this coming Wednesday.
During today’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Speaker Dol Prasad Aryal announced that the election for the committee chairperson would be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
The House of Representatives formed the 15-member special committee following the devastating flood originating from the Bhote-Koshi River in Rasuwa on August 26, which caused loss of life and extensive damage to property in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, and surrounding areas.
Parliament has set the committee’s tenure at three months, with a provision allowing it to be extended if necessary. The committee’s mandate includes studying and monitoring the causes, impacts, and extent of damage caused by the Bhote-Koshi/Trishuli disaster. It is also tasked with conducting a scientific study into the disaster’s origin, sequence of events, immediate causes, and factors that may have increased the associated risks.
In addition, the committee will examine the impact of climate change in the Himalayan region and investigate possible links between climate change and the disaster. It will also study the effects on transboundary watersheds and downstream areas.
The committee has further been mandated to monitor and assess search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts and undertake necessary activities in this regard.
It will also study disaster risk reduction measures and early warning systems and submit recommendations based on its findings.
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