Disaster-hit local units to be declared as crisis-hit

KATHMANDU: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has recommended that the government declare disaster-affected local units as crisis-hit areas.

According to NDRRMA Spokesperson Dr. Dijan Bhattarai, a meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, held on Friday made the recommendation. Bhattarai said that nearly four dozen municipalities and rural municipalities have been affected by the disaster.

“Once these areas are declared crisis-hit, reconstruction and rehabilitation work will proceed accordingly,” he added.

Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall from September 26-28 resulted in 239 deaths, with 18 people still missing. More than 17,000 individuals affected by floods and landslides have been rescued. The physical damage caused by the disaster is estimated at Rs 25 billion.

According to the authority, local units in Taplejung, Kavre, Panchthar, Kathmandu, Sankhuwasabha, Lalitpur, Solukhumbu, Bhaktapur, Dolakha, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Makwanpur, Sindhupalchok, and Dhading are among the most affected.