Kathmandu, December 19

With the mercury plummeting across the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the concerned line ministries, departments, district disaster relief committees, district administration offices, local disaster relief committees and humanitarian organisations have geared up to help prevent deaths from exposure to cold wave and prepare for rescue and relief operations.

According to a press release issued by the MoHA, the government and non-government agencies will work together to take preventive measures to bring relief to people, particularly those belonging to economically weaker sections. The authorities have been urged to make arrangements for lighting fires and providing blankets and warm clothes for affected and vulnerable people.

The government is of the view that people living in the Tarai and in earthquake-affected districts will be hit hardest by the cold.

In winter, the Tarai and the high Himalayan regions face the brunt of cold waves which cause death and injury to livestock and wildlife, and people, mainly the elderly and children. People, particularly the poor, who cannot afford warm clothes, are more vulnerable. Many parts of the country remain covered in a thick blanket of fog blocking sunlight for days during the peak of the winter.

Concerned agencies have also been asked to conduct awareness-raising programmes and broadcast awareness information through media besides keeping health workers and medicines on stand by.

As per the plan, the MoHA and other concerned ministries will work in close coordination with the DAOs, local levels and district and local disaster relief committees.