Jhapa local levels preparing against monsoon disasters

By Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel,Damak, June 11: Local levels of the Jhapa district have started preparing against monsoon-related disasters.

Every year, hundreds of families across the district get displaced by floods during the monsoon. As the rainy season is around the corner, all 15 local levels in the district have started taking preventive steps.

After a thorough discussion with concerned stakeholders in 2010, Jhapa has been implementing plans related to disaster preparedness. 

Among the 15 local levels, 11 – Damak, Gauradaha, Shivasatakshi, Kankai, Arjundahara, Bhadrapur, Kamal, Gauriganj, Jhapa, Barhadashi and Kachankawal – are at high risks. 

During the monsoon, big rivers – Kankai, Ratuwa, Biring, Kamal/Baniyani, Mechi, Ninda, Hadiya and Taiting/Nete – and the smaller ones flood the nearby settlements and displace hundreds annually.

Talking to The Rising Nepal, local levels across the district informed that they were taking every preventive measure in their capacity to prevent the damage that disasters might cause.

“Since Damak Municipality is surrounded by the Ratuwa River and Mawa River, the settlements along the river banks are at great risk. We have been constructing embankments and provided rescue gear to the security personnel,” said Ram Kumar Thapa, Mayor of Damak.

Security forces across the country, including Jhapa, have been performing disaster rescue training continuously for the past few weeks as the monsoon is nearing. “Since monsoon-related disaster is an annual phenomenon, laws have been formulated for its preparedness. We are always concerned with preventing as much property as possible from being damaged,” said Hukumsingh Rai, chairman of Kamal Rural Municipality.

Kamal Rural Municipality, which is at risk of flood in the Ratuwa River, has also constructed embankments.

As the federal and provincial authorities have also been active in disaster preparedness, local levels have been provided with some resources alongside technical expertise.