KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 23

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has requested people to exercise caution as the number of disasters, particularly fires, has increased.

The NDRRMA, which publishes a daily bulletin on the incidence of disasters in the previous 24 hours, has indicated that the incidence of disasters is increasing, and it is important to exercise caution.

Following 22 incidents today and 18 disasters across the country yesterday, the NDRRMA has urged the people to be cautious. 'In the past 24 hours, 22 fires, forest fires and animal attacks have occurred in various districts across the country. Six people were injured in these incidents,' reads the NDRRMA bulletin. 'It caused Rs 5.5 million in property and cash losses.'

Yesterday, out of the 18 incidents, 15 involved fires. There were two fires in Udayapur, Rautahat, Bara, Kathmandu and Kapilvastu, indicating that more caution is required.

Fires caused significant damage to physical property in Makawanpur, Chitwan, Kaski and Kailali. A dry landslip from above obstructed the Besisahar-Chame road section in Manang. Snake bites have occurred in Dhanusha and Dadeldhura. The disaster injured two people and caused an estimated damage of Rs 5.37 million.

On Friday, there were 19 disasters across the country, 15 of which were fires. Sunsari and Parsa both had two fires that day. The NDRRMA reported that fires damaged physical property in Jhapa, Panchthar, Sunsari, Khotang, Udayapur, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Lamjung, Parbat, Nawalparasi East and Palpa.

A dry landslip in Ribdikot Rural Municipality-3 of Palpa completely blocked the road. Those injured in animal attacks in Saptari, Chitwan and Mugu were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

According to NDRRMA, only 13 of the 20 disaster incidents reported across the country on Thursday were fires. Three fires broke out in Rupandehi and Kaski on the same day. Two fires in Jhapa as well as fires in Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Bara and Dang, all caused material damage. Eleven people were injured in disaster incidents that day, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 1.365 million. Five animal attacks occurred that day. Animal attacks took place in Jhapa, Morang, Dhanusha, Bajhang and Achham.

On Wednesday, there were 16 disaster incidents across the country. Twelve of these were fire incidents. There were three landslides and one animal attack. The disaster caused damage worth Rs 27.631 million. According to the NDRRMA, 13 of the 17 disaster incidents on Tuesday involved fire. There were two fires in Kanchanpur and Sunsari alone. On that day, fires started in Jhapa, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Tanahun, Nawalparasi East, Rupandehi and Achham.

Drowning, snakebite and animal attack each occurred once. The disaster injured five people and caused material damage totalling Rs 3.14 million.

On Monday (November 17), a total of 10 disasters occurred, all of which involved fires. The fires injured two people and destroyed property worth Rs 1.493 million. According to the NDRRMA, some of the fires were caused by carelessness, while others were the result of an electrical short circuit.

The authority has emphasised that the fire has caused significant damage as a result of a lack of public awareness and negligence. The authority has urged the people to exercise caution when starting fires or using flammable materials. The NDRRMA has also urged everyone to take precautions, stating that even simple precautions can save physical assets that were created through years of hard work.