Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The government has decided to suspend search and rescue operations following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, except for essential searches.
A meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday decided to direct the concerned agencies to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts alongside essential search operations.
The decision was taken based on recommendations from the district security committees, district disaster management committees and the executive committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, as well as findings from field observations, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat said.
The meeting also decided to recommend to the Ministry of Finance for the approval of a budget of Rs 559.17 billion for 504 plans and programs proposed by various ministries and agencies for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected areas.
The finance ministry will arrange resources for these plans as per the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Regulations, 2020.
The meeting also directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to recommend the finance ministry for necessary budgetary arrangements after receiving details of projects whose cost estimates have not yet been determined or which are yet to be prioritized.
Speaking at the meeting, Prime Minister Shah said disaster management efforts were being carried out in coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments, and that reconstruction and rehabilitation works would also be undertaken through the same coordination mechanism.
