Kathmandu, September 1
The Ministry of Infrastructure Development has formed a task force to prepare an initial recovery and management framework and carry out measures to help people affected by the Bhotekoshi River floods in Rasuwa return to normal life within 21 days.
The task force will identify, coordinate and facilitate necessary work in areas including roads, bridges, drinking water, resettlement, suspension bridges, debris management, communications and health services in the affected areas. It will also mobilise relevant stakeholders and agencies and regularly monitor and report on the progress.
According to the ministry, the task force has been assigned responsibility for conducting a rapid technical and objective assessment of the damage and risks caused by the disaster. It will also identify emergency restoration measures and essential services that need to be resumed immediately and mobilise the relevant agencies accordingly.
The task force will classify affected areas, structures and families based on risk and priority and prepare immediate, short-term and long-term action plans.
It will also assess the need for human resources, equipment, materials and financial resources and coordinate and facilitate cooperation among the federal, provincial and local governments, security agencies, the private sector and development partners.
During reconstruction, the task force will apply the “build back better” principle by taking into account geological conditions, climate change, floods, landslides and other disaster risks. It will also use an integrated planning and information system to prevent duplication of investment, misuse of resources and unnecessary duplication of work.
The task force has also been assigned to recommend necessary policy, legal, administrative and budgetary decisions to the concerned agencies and the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. It will submit regular reports on progress, problems encountered and possible solutions.
The task force will monitor, evaluate and ensure the quality of work within its scope and provide policy recommendations for future disaster risk reduction based on experiences and data gathered during the recovery process.
The ministry said the task force would coordinate among all concerned agencies to expedite the recovery of affected areas, resume essential infrastructure services and help residents return to normal daily life.
