Kathmandu, October 5
The government has decided to suspend, for the time being, the search and rescue phase following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, except for urgent operations.
The 21st meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, held today at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Balen Shah, decided to direct the concerned agencies to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation work while continuing only essential search operations.
The decision was taken based on recommendations from the District Security Committees, District Disaster Management Committees, the Executive Committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, as well as on-site observations.
The meeting also decided to recommend to the Ministry of Finance the approval of a budget of Rs 559.17 billion for 504 plans and programmes submitted by various ministries and agencies for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas.
Resources for the approved plans will be managed through the Ministry of Finance in accordance with the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Regulations, 2020.
The meeting also directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to recommend the necessary budget allocation to the Ministry of Finance after receiving details of projects whose cost estimates have not yet been determined and which have yet to be prioritised.
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 would also be carried out in the same manner. Opposition parties, the Nepali Congress parliamentary party leader, and the chief ministers of Bagmati, Gandaki, Madhesh and Koshi provinces expressed their full support for the efforts.
The meeting expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods and monsoon-related disasters, paid heartfelt tribute to all those who died and expressed condolences to the bereaved families.
The council also highly appreciated and extended heartfelt thanks to security personnel, elected representatives, civil servants, the private sector, volunteers and media workers involved in search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts under difficult circumstances, as well as donor countries and development partners that assisted.
