Himal Press 
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ITAHARI: Disaster incidents claimed 77 lives in different parts of Koshi Province in fiscal year 2023/24.
According to data from the Koshi Province Police Office in Biratnagar, the highest number of deaths were caused by floods.
The statistics show that floods at 117 locations resulted in 22 deaths and 24 injuries during the year. Similarly, fire incidents in various districts caused 20 deaths and injured 134 people. A total of 1,731 fire incidents were recorded in the province in 2023/24, according to police. Additionally, 253 wild animal attacks resulted in 13 deaths and 57 injuries.
Lightning strikes at 87 locations caused 13 deaths and 36 injuries. Similarly, 496 incidents of landslides claimed nine lives and injured 20.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bhim Bahadur Dahal, the spokesperson for Koshi Province Police, said natural disasters killed 7,908 livestock across the province, with fires accounting for the highest number at 7,365.
Natural disasters affected 2,274 households during the year.
According to SSP Dahal, 17,681 police personnel were mobilized for rescue operations in all 14 districts of Koshi Province, with the highest number (11,267) deployed for fire incidents.
“Fire incidents cause damage in hilly districts during the dry season, while floods affect Terai districts during the monsoon. We have spread awareness in all districts before the monsoon starts. We have advised people to immediately inform the police about incidents and potential risks,” said Dahal. “Prompt reporting of potential incidents to the police can reduce human casualties.”
He added that rescue operations were conducted in coordination with the provincial and local governments. He also advised against residing in high-risk areas and urged people to avoid hazardous zones under any circumstances. “Unnecessary travel has also led to human casualties from natural disasters,” he said. “Avoiding travel during monsoon season, or traveling only after understanding the destination’s conditions, can reduce human losses.”
According to Dahal, people have been evacuated and relocated from high-risk areas. “If we are informed promptly about potential floods, we can rescue or relocate people to save lives,” he said.
