KATHMANDU, JUNE 19

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has expressed sorrow over the big loss of lives and property due to floods and landslides in various places of the country since the last some days.

He said the entire state mechanism has been mobilized for searching the people missing in the disaster, rescue and relief operations.

The PM said this during a meeting this morning with the delegations comprising political parties and people's representatives from Taplejung and Panchthar.

In the meeting held with the delegations at his official residence in Baluwatar, PM Dahal reiterated that the government will mobilize the entire state apparatus as the risk of natural disaster still exists.

The political party leaders and people's representatives from Taplejung and Panchthar apprised the Prime Minister that the landslides and floods in the districts caused a big loss of lives and properties and urged the government to provide tents, foodstuff, household utensils and clothes to the affected families as an immediate relief.

They also called the attention of the government to establish alternative road connectivity at places where the roads and bridges have been damaged or swept away.

In the meeting, the PM said that he is aware of the losses and is stepping up efforts for search, rescue and relief works through the entire state mechanism. He added that directives have been issued to construct Bailey bridges at a war footing in places where the road connectivity has been disrupted.

Stating that the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport have been directed to immediately take initiatives to that end, Prime Minister Dahal asserted that foodstuff and essential logistics for housing and health would also be dispatched to the affected areas soon.

CPN (UML) secretary and former minister Yogesh Kumar Bhattarai, former minister Basanta Kumar Nembang, lawmaker Lila Bakhimn, CPN (Maoist Centre) central member and district in-charge Khel Prasad Budha Chhetri, among the leaders and people's representatives were in the delegation.