KATHMANDU, JULY 26

At least 31 persons were killed and 34 others injured in the floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall throughout the country after the onset of monsoon on June 14. Similarly, 23 people have gone missing.

According to data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 34 districts have been affected by rain-induced disasters. They include Bhojpur, Nuwakot, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tanahun, Gorkha, Okhaldhunga, Sindhuli, Dailekh, Achham, Jumla, Rukum East, Sindhupalchowk, Kaski, Rupandehi, Rautahat, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Bajura, Mugu, Lamjung, Dang, Kailali, Morang, Kanchanpur, Darchula, Sarlahi, Kavre, Terhathum, Rasuwa, Myagdi and Baitadi. Of them, Sankuwasabha, Nuwakot, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga and Taplejung have been worst hit by the disasters.

The MoHA informed that 278 houses were damaged or destroyed due to floods and landslides.

Assessment of damage is under way, it said. It further said the government would provide free treatment to those injured in floods and landslides. The search for missing persons continues.

The MoHA has instructed the local administration to provide relief and rescue to the people affected by natural disasters.

As per existing provisions, the government should provide Rs 500,000 to those displaced in the mountain region, Rs 400,000 to those in the hills, and Rs 300,000 for the victims of floods and landslides in Tarai region to build their houses.

If the people displaced by floods and landslides don't own land to build houses, they will get an additional of Rs 300,000 to purchase land.

If the government cannot provide land to the displaced people, it will build houses for them. The government has also decided to provided a cash relief of Rs 200,000 to the kin of a person killed in the natural disaster and an additional of Rs 100,000 for another death in the family.

Meanwhile, National Emergency Operations Centre under the MoHA has requested all the federal and provincial ministries, local levels and districts to coordinate with one another for effective disaster preparedness, response and relief operation.

As per the inter-agency coordination, the concerned districts and local levels will be required to conduct monsoon preparedness publicity campaign via community FMs and other media.

Similarly, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport will keep trained human resources with heavy equipment in strategic locations on national highways to clear possible obstruction of roads and water supply.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 27, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.