KATHMANDU, OCTOBER 4

CPN (Maoist Centre) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has said that geological studies should be carried out prior to developing human settlements and infrastructures.

Receiving a report prepared by the party's Natural Disaster Management Department this morning, the former prime minister said that he has been advocating for well-managed settlement and infrastructure since his first term as the PM.

It is said that the report was prepared by the Department with support from the experts after visiting the disaster-hit areas.

On the occasion, Prachanda said that the hilly area was at risk of landslides, and Tarai and urban regions from flooding and inundation due to unmanaged settlement and poor infrastructures.

He also said that settlements and infrastructures should be developed only on the basis of geological studies to remain safe from landslides, flooding, inundation, earthquakes and other disasters.

The Maoist Centre Chairman also appreciated the report prepared by the party's Natural Disaster Management Department and stated that a memorandum will be submitted to the government on the basis of the same report.

Likewise, Prachanda viewed that effective disaster response plans should be made for disaster management along with the development of scientific settlements and infrastructures.

The Maoist Centre Chairman added that the state mechanisms should move ahead in a planned way by reviewing the reasons why the government agencies could not carry out immediate rescue operations.

He also asked the government to effectively mobilize all its mechanisms stating that rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations are not taking place as expected by the people.