Lumbini remains alert on monsoon disasters

BY OUR CORRESPONDENT,Bhairahawa, June 6: Lumbini Province Chief Minister Chet Narayan Acharya has instructed all subordinate agencies to remain on high alert and in a state of readiness for monsoon-related disasters.

Addressing a meeting of the Provincial Disaster Management Council held on Wednesday at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers in Rapti Valley (Deukhuri), the Chief Minister emphasised that forecasts show Lumbini Province is likely to be the most affected compared to other provinces, making heightened attentiveness essential.

“Lumbini Province is projected to be the most affected by monsoon-related disasters,” he said. “Therefore, it is necessary to focus on damage reduction and mobilise with a high level of preparedness. Only through active community engagement can we minimise the impacts of such disasters.”

Chief Minister Acharya pointed out the need for early communication from the pre-disaster phase, the establishment of safe shelters, public education and awareness campaigns, effective search and rescue operations, and deployment of security personnel and volunteers in high-risk areas. He also emphasised the importance of ensuring post-disaster relief, resettlement, food availability, clean drinking water, and healthcare services.

According to the National Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan 2025, published by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Lumbini is expected to be the most affected province this year. The plan estimates that approximately 523,656 people from 119,830 households in Lumbini could be impacted. In line with this, the provincial government has initiated preparedness and alertness measures.

In the past 10 years, Lumbini Province has recorded 1,618 incidents of monsoon-related disasters, according to Gangadhar Pandey, the disaster focal person at the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law. These incidents have resulted in 459 deaths, 619 injuries, 32 missing persons, and 8,315 families affected. In the previous year alone, 292 disaster incidents were recorded.  Meanwhile, the year 2016 saw the highest number of human casualties, with 107 deaths.

Last year, floods, landslides, and heavy rainfall led to 53 deaths, 70 injuries, nine missing persons, and 109 families affected in Lumbini Province, with total damages estimated at around Rs. 540 million.