Kathmandu, Sept 27: Prime Minister Balendra Shah has urged the public to exercise caution due to the heightened risks posed by the rainfall taking place in different parts of the country for the past few days.
Taking to his social media account today, the Prime Minister has paid heartfelt tributes to the citizens who lost their lives in the disaster and extended deep condolences to the bereaved families. He also wished for the speedy recovery of the citizens injured in the disaster and noted that arrangements have been made for their free medical treatment.
Prime Minister Shah also requested all citizens living in or traveling through riverbank and hilly areas to exercise high vigilance. He advised against traveling unless absolutely necessary and urged people to call the toll-free number 1234 in the event of any emergency.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Shah stated that the government is keeping a close watch on those who spread misinformation, violate the privacy of disaster survivors, or engage in black marketeering during this time of disaster. The dissemination of misleading information during a crisis regardless of the intent is completely unacceptable.
Following the forecasts from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and other agencies predicting heavy rainfall and strong winds across various parts of the country, the government immediately mobilized to prepare for potential disaster management; the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, through command post meetings, continuously disseminated information and issued precautionary directives, such as suspending night-time transportation and closing schools. “We remain actively engaged in helping citizens recover from the damage caused by the flood in the Bhote Koshi River, Rasuwa, on August 26. However, amidst this, we are now compelled to face yet another disaster.”
Information has been received regarding people going missing following an avalanche in Manang; efforts to gather further details on this are underway. Across the country, a total of 439 monsoon-related incidents including floods, landslides, inundation, and lightning strikes have been recorded. Not only villages but cities as well have been inundated. Infrastructure directly linked to daily life including roads, bridges, hydropower projects, and drinking water systems has sustained damage.
In this time of crisis, the government’s primary duty is to protect the lives of citizens and ensure they feel safe. Consequently, our security personnel are working around the clock to search for the missing and rescue people and livestock trapped by the disaster.
Temporary shelter arrangements have been made for families affected by floods and landslides in coordination with the respective local levels. To safeguard lives and property, information and messages are being disseminated through various channels, while security personnel are also making public announcements on the ground using loudspeakers. Thanks to the government’s early warnings, trekkers in mountain districts have returned safely, and students have been kept out of harm’s way. Our security agencies remain fully prepared to launch rescue operations the moment any citizen faces a crisis.
“The East-West Highway has been closed as a precautionary measure after a cruise ship, swept away by the Narayani River, became lodged against a bridge. Meanwhile, floods and landslides have disrupted more than a dozen roads across various districts, including the Prithvi Highway, BP Highway, and Kanti highway, which connect to the Kathmandu Valley,” Prime Minister Shah stated. RSS
