Disaster response puts federal–provincial coordination to the test in Koshi

ITAHARI: The floods and landslides that struck on October 4 and 5 (Asoj 18–19) caused the most severe damage in Koshi Province. A total of 47 people died in the province alone during the period.

According to SSP Dipak Pokharel, spokesperson for the Koshi Province Police Office in Biratnagar, Ilam district alone recorded 39 deaths. Two people each died in Panchthar and Udaypur, and one each in Morang, Khotang, Sunsari and Bhojpur. Security personnel rescued 2,105 people safely, Pokharel said.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the disaster also tested the practice of federalism and provincial autonomy in Koshi Province. Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki said the federal government has failed to provide the expected level of coordination to the provincial government. “While the provincial government has been carrying out relief and rehabilitation efforts on its own, the presence of the federal government has not been felt,” he added.

Karki said preparations were underway to rebuild houses destroyed in Ilam, Jhapa and Morang — the worst-affected districts.

“The provincial government has begun collecting detailed data on damages, mobilizing ministers for reconstruction and recommending the federal government that seven local governments in Ilam be declared disaster-affected areas,” he added.

During an all-party meeting held on Friday, Karki expressed frustration at the lack of coordination from the federal government. “Even if there is no coordination from the federal government, the provincial government will not sit idle; we are working on our own level,” he said.

The provincial government, according to Karki, has already decided to build new houses for those displaced by floods and landslides and to assist in repairing damaged homes. However, he acknowledged that it would be difficult to implement these plans without federal government support.

Speaking on the occasion, CPN (Maoist Center) leader Indra Bahadur Angbo said that although the federal government has not held formal discussions with the provincial government on post-disaster needs. “Provincial government should be able to deliver visible results at a time when federal structures are under criticism,” he added.

Likewise, Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party leader Uddhav Thapa said the lack of coordination between the federal and provincial levels could delay reconstruction efforts.

According to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the all-party meeting also discussed post-disaster reconstruction, rebuilding structures damaged during the youth (GenZ) protests and the evolving political situation in the country.

Following the heavy loss of life and property, the federal government has declared Ilam as a crisis-hit area for three months.

Analysts say the recent floods and landslides have not only caused human and physical losses but also exposed serious challenges in the practical implementation of federalism. Although the constitution grants provincial governments autonomous authority in disaster management, effective execution still requires strong coordination between the federal and provincial levels. They, however, said that his vital link was notably absent during the crisis.