KATHMANDU: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has made four major decisions to enhance early warning systems and adopt precautionary measures in light of potential risks caused by recent rainfall across the country.
A meeting of the council chaired by Acting Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh was held at the Ministry of Urban Development on Sunday. The council decided to adopt timely preparedness measures considering the risks triggered by ongoing heavy rains.
The decisions include: prohibiting vehicle movement at night in high-risk areas, disseminating safety alerts to local residents during and around periods of heavy rainfall, broadcasting weather bulletins and warnings through local FM stations and social media, and making immediate reporting and rescue arrangements in disaster-affected areas.
Acting PM Singh stressed that all concerned agencies must remain on high alert and take all necessary preparatory steps to protect lives. He emphasized the importance of effectively utilizing weather forecasts for pre-disaster warnings and implementing them strictly to minimize loss.
The meeting also reviewed ongoing preparedness efforts from the Home Ministry, Defence Ministry, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), and the Department of Roads.
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak said all three security agencies have been placed on alert. He added that helicopters from the Nepal Army and private sector are ready for deployment in case of emergencies. He informed that a directive has been issued, making Chief District Officers and the final police checkpoint in each district responsible if vehicles are operated on risky roads against instructions.
Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal said that weather forecasts have been accurate recently and related agencies have been kept on alert accordingly.
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