Kathmandu, 17 August
Nepali Communist Party lawmaker Barsaman Pun has drawn the government’s attention to the deaths of 22 people in floods, landslides and lightning strikes in his home district Rolpa over the past two weeks.
Speaking at the House of Representatives meeting on Monday, Pun said several parts of Rolpa had suffered significant loss of life and property due to natural disasters during the latter half of Shrawan.
According to Pun, 13 people were killed in a massive landslide in the Uwa area of Thawang Rural Municipality on August 12. The following day, four people died in a landslide in Seram of Sunachhari Rural Municipality.
Similarly, one person died in a landslide at Dhaireni in Lungri Rural Municipality on August 15, he said.
Pun said two more people died in a landslide in Seram the following week, while another person was killed in Pachhawang of Paribartan Rural Municipality.
He also informed the House that one person died after being struck by lightning in Lungri Rural Municipality-1.
Paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the disasters, Pun wished those injured a speedy recovery. He also informed the House that he had already met Prime Minister Balendra Shah (Balen) and drawn his attention to the situation.
Pun called on the government to strengthen mechanisms for disaster preparedness, search and rescue and relief. He said state agencies should be made more effective in conducting search and rescue operations in affected areas and relief materials should be delivered immediately.
He also urged the government to immediately reopen the Sulichaur-Uwa-Thawang road, which has been obstructed by landslides.
According to Pun, drinking water infrastructure, roads and bridges have also been damaged and need to be reconstructed.
He called on the government to immediately send a geological study team to identify long-term risks in areas of Rolpa that are repeatedly affected by landslides.
“I have also met the Honourable Prime Minister and drawn his attention to the issue. The government should focus on preparedness. Search and rescue mechanisms should be made more effective, and relief materials should reach the affected areas immediately,” he said.
“I specifically urge the government to immediately reopen the Sulichaur-Uwa-Thawang road. Drinking water systems, roads and bridges have been damaged. They should be restored soon, and a geological study team should be sent without delay for long-term assessment,” Pun added.
He also urged the government to make necessary arrangements for the resettlement of affected communities and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
