KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has urged the government to expedite the immediate management of Bhotekoshi flood victims, restoration of road and transport services, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
President Paudel suggested seeking support from the international community to build major infrastructure, including large Bailey bridges, if Nepal’s capacity is insufficient to restore road connectivity given the difficult geographical conditions.
He also urged the prime minister to effectively raise Nepal’s case with the international community to seek compensation for the losses the country has suffered due to climate change.
President Paudel held separate meetings with Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal and Minister for Infrastructure Development Sunil Lamsal at Sheetal Niwas on Wednesday, urging them to accelerate efforts to restore road connectivity and manage holding centres for the accommodation of flood-affected people.
Referring to his recent field visit to the flood-affected areas, Paudel said he had witnessed the condition of the victims and the extent of damage firsthand. He stressed that the resettlement of affected citizens and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure should be pursued with short-, medium- and long-term plans.
Paudel also urged the government to prioritise immediate measures needed to make daily life easier for people in the flood-affected areas.
During his meeting with Foreign Minister Khanal, House of Representatives member Arjun Nar Singh KC and Chief of Army Staff Ashok Raj Sigdel were also present.
During the discussions, the two ministers informed the President that work was being carried out around the clock with the goal of restoring road transportation before Dashain. They also said construction of temporary shelters and capsule homes for flood-affected citizens was progressing rapidly.
The ministers further informed Paudel that the government had accelerated the construction of alternative roads and had already requested friendly countries to assist in building long Bailey bridges.
They said necessary materials were being brought in and that the government was also advancing other plans for post-flood reconstruction and rehabilitation.
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