APF equips units and communities to deal with monsoon hazards

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, May 16: The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal has initiated a comprehensive monsoon preparedness campaign aimed at mitigating the risks and enhancing the response to potential monsoon-induced disasters across the country.

In a strategic move to heighten public awareness and institutional readiness, the APF has activated its ‘Immediate Response Patrol’ campaign nationwide, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police and APF’s Joint-Spokesperson Shailendra Thapa.

The preparedness plan includes the deployment of disaster indicators in local communities, stockpiling essential rescue equipment across all APF units, and conducting regular training and simulation exercises on disaster response and management.

A high-level meeting was recently convened at APF Headquarters in Halchowk to analyse past disaster events and to strategize proactive measures for anticipated risks. The discussion involved unit commanders from the Kathmandu Valley as well as senior and junior officers deployed in the field.

The participants shared their operational experiences, highlighted challenges encountered during previous deployments, and contributed insights on formulating effective new strategies, DSP Thapa informed.

He said that the APF also plans to engage its retired personnel in community-level awareness programmes and disseminate early warning indicators at the ward level. 

"The faster we receive information, the quicker our deployment, which is critical for timely rescue operations," he claimed. 

The APF intends to institutionalise a 15-day mandatory disaster management training module as part of the foundational course for personnel at all ranks. In a bid to optimise resource allocation, all APF units have been categorised into three tiers based on their current resource capabilities—well-equipped, moderately resourced, and under-resourced. 

Units falling under the under-resourced category will be immediately provided with basic disaster response materials, he said. 

Addressing the disaster preparedness meeting on Wednesday, Inspector General of the APF, Raju Aryal, underscored the importance of utilising locally available resources to their maximum potential. 

“No unit has the liberty to excuse itself from responsibility due to lack of supplies,” he asserted. He emphasised that during times of crisis, public confidence must rest firmly in the presence of both government and security agencies.

IG Aryal instructed departmental heads to devise a clear action plan for the upcoming monsoon season and stressed the importance of swift and effective mobilization to minimise human and material losses. 

“Readiness and rapid deployment are keys. If we can reach the disaster site in the shortest possible time, only then can we avert large-scale damage,” he added.

To ensure round-the-clock preparedness, all units have been directed to maintain fully-equipped and ready-to-deploy response teams. Furthermore, units are expected to familiarise themselves thoroughly with their respective jurisdictions and actively conduct disaster awareness and response patrols to prevent operational delays.

In a complementary initiative, the APF has also launched community-based volunteer training programmes to build grassroots resilience and enhance local disaster response capacity.