Dahal underscores need for improved disaster response

KATHMANDU: A study team formed by the CPN (Maoist Center) has suggested conducting geological studies before developing settlements and building infrastructure.

The team formed by the Natural Disaster Management Department of CPN (Maoist Center) submitted its study report to party chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday. The team prepared the report after on-site studies of several disaster-hit areas.

After receiving the report, Dahal said he has been focusing on building well-managed settlements and infrastructure development since his first term as Prime Minister. “There is a high risk of landslides in hilly areas, and floods and inundation in Tarai districts due to due to unplanned settlements and infrastructure,” Dahal said. “To prevent disasters such as floods, landslides, inundation and earthquakes, settlements should be built and infrastructure should be developed only after geological studies,” he added.

Dahal also said the report would be submitted to the government along with a memorandum to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation works.

He also called for a thorough review of the government’s disaster management and the development of response plans. “Heavy rainfall had been forecast in different parts of the country last week. Despite this, the inability to immediately conduct rescue operations even in the capital, which is the center of state mechanisms, is a matter of concern and this should be investigated,” he said, urging the government to move forward in a planned manner to prevent such situations in the future.

He also said the government should mobilize all its mechanisms for the immediate rehabilitation of disaster-affected people.

The death toll due to last week’s floods and landslides in different parts of the country has reached 239.