Kathmandu, August 13

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today said her attention was drawn to the loss of lives and property due to floods and landslides across the country.

“It is a matter of grave concern that adverse weather conditions have severely affected air traffic and obstructed roads. This has also affected relief and rescue operations in many inundated areas,” Bhandari said in a press release.

She stressed the urgency to strengthen disaster preparedness and response plan to cope with natural disasters caused by climate change and environmental degradation.

“The havoc created by floods and landslides has shocked and saddened the entire nation. Thousands of survivors have been compelled to live in miserable conditions due to delay in rescue and relief efforts,” she added.

In the context of the government’s planned efforts to carry out relief and rescue operations, and to resettle survivors, the president appealed to non-governmental agencies, private sector and the general public to support those in need.

The president said the government and all concerned should also ensure adequate supply of food and safe water to survivors.