Morang local levels building integrated disaster management centre

By Hari Koirala,Urlabari, Aug. 23: Four municipalities in Morang district have decided to construct an integrated disaster management centre.

Rangeli and Sunbarshi Municipalities, and Kanepokhari and Dhanpalathan Rural Municipalities in the district will build the disaster management centre at Darvesha, located in Ward No. 8 of Rangeli Municipality. 

Rangeli Municipality Mayor Dilip Kumar Bagadiya said that considering the easy accessibility by all municipalities, the centre is being established in Darvesha.

Mayor Bagadiya said, "Although a public notice was issued for free land acquisition, no land was obtained. As a result, Rangeli Municipality has purchased 12 katthas of land to construct the centre." 

According to Mayor Bagadiya, the land between Darvesha Bazaar and Bakraha Bridge on the western side of Kanepokhari-Rangeli road was purchased and the construction has commenced.

He said that the disaster management centre will be constructed for Rs. 125 million, with Rs. 62.5 million provided by the provincial government, Rs. 20 million by the Swiss government, and the remaining amount will be managed equally by the four municipalities.

Kanepokhari Rural Municipality’s chairperson Rajmati Ingnam said that the centre would be equipped with ambulances, hearse vehicles, fire trucks, rafting boats and housing facilities for a team of 10-12 armed police officers and firefighters. 

Likewise, separate premises will be arranged for ambulances, fire trucks, and hearse vehicles. A permanent water source for the fire trucks will also be arranged, she added. Currently, Rangeli and Kanepokhari Rural Municipalities are operating fire trucks and hearse vehicles.

Chairman Ingnam said that joint construction of the disaster centre building will reduce costs. Kanepokhari Rural Municipality currently has one fire truck and one hearse vehicle. 

It is not feasible to have a dedicated firefighter in each municipality, as their services are not needed constantly but must be on high alert 24 hours a day. 

The concept of a joint disaster centre arose from the shared understanding that limited manpower from the four municipalities could effectively manage the centre, she said

Chief Administrative Officer of Kanepokhari Rural Municipality, Hira Kumari Yadav, said that each municipality allocates a budget for disaster management every year, ensuring the availability of resources for this mega project.