Kathmandu, September 10
Nepali Congress lawmaker Sunil Bahadur Thapa has urged the government to develop an effective disaster early warning system that takes into account not only monsoon rainfall but also mountains and glaciers.
Speaking at the National Assembly meeting on Thursday, Thapa said the devastating Bhotekoshi floods in Rasuwa had raised serious questions about Nepal’s early warning systems, rescue capacity and infrastructure development model.
“Serious questions have been raised about Nepal’s infrastructure, disaster preparedness infrastructure, early warning systems, rescue capacity and reconstruction system,” he said. “We now need to develop an early warning system that considers not only rainfall but also mountains and glaciers.”
Thapa stressed that the government must address the basic needs of thousands of people who have gone missing in disasters, those who have lost family members and those whose lives have been severely affected. He said the destruction of homes, roads, bridges, schools, health facilities and drinking water infrastructure caused by the floods had seriously affected the national economy and called for international assistance.
Thapa said the state must firmly stand with people and families displaced by disasters. “Immediate priorities should be relief, rescue, safe shelter, food, drinking water and health services,” he said, drawing the government’s attention to the needs of the flood victims.
He said providing safe shelter and healthcare to flood victims should remain the state’s top priority alongside rescue efforts.
