KATHMANDU: Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa on Wednesday said that the government was preparing to form a high-powered Disaster Risk Reduction Authority.

Addressing meeting of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Meeting organised in Kathmandu by the MoHA in coordination with DPNet-Nepal and UNDP, he said, “Disaster Risk Reduction Authority with executive powers will be formed soon to prevent and combat disasters in the country.”

Various disasters claim nearly 9,00 people in Nepal every year. The disasters include flood, landslide, lightning, fire, cold wave, epidemic, incessant rain, flashflood, storm, snowstorm, boat capsize, drowning and high altitude.

Nepal is one of the countries most vulnerable to disasters, according to the MoHA, the nodal ministry for disasters.