KATHMANDU: As many as 750 persons were killed in various natural and non-natural disasters across the country during the year 2024. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the figure is more than the double casualties recorded in 2023. The disaster caused an economic loss of around four billion rupees.
Disasters had claimed a total of 393 lives in 2023. Statistics released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction Portal under the MoHA showed that 750 persons lost their lives to disasters, especially landslides, floods, and road traffic accidents caused by flash floods and landslides. Similarly, 1,510 persons were injured and 66 others are still missing. The disaster resulted in partial damage of 7,687 houses and complete damage of 3,995 houses. Similarly, 1,476 animal sheds were damaged and 9,018 domestic animals killed.
Landslide stood as the deadliest disaster and killed nearly 400 people. Other major disasters that caused the loss of life and property included flood, fire, lightning, inundation and snakebite, among others. The disaster affected 18,656 families across the country. As per existing provisions, the government should provide Rs 500,000 to those displaced in the mountain region, Rs 400,000 to those in the hills, and Rs 300,000 for victims of floods and landslides in the Tarai region to build their houses. If people displaced by floods and landslides don't own land to build houses, they will get additional Rs 300,000 to purchase land. If the government cannot provide land to the displaced people, it will build houses for them. The government has also provided a cash relief of Rs 200,000 to the kin of a person killed in a natural disaster and additional Rs 100,000 for another death in the family.
The heavy casualties that resulted from the disasters prompted the Government of Nepal to amend the Disaster Victims Rescue and Relief Standards for providing more assistance and relief to disaster victims. As per the amendment, the concerned chief district officer will put minimum 25 skilled human resources on standby to be mobilised for search and rescue of victims at anytime. Search and rescue materials will be pre-positioned under the District Disaster Management Committee, in addition to management of minimum 25 human resources to be mobilised for relief operation.
Despite the legal provisions in place, the government failed to properly handle the search, rescue and relief operations in a timely manner. The fate of 66 missing persons are still unknown. The government authorities have discontinued the search for the missing ones. The government did not pay proper heed to effective search, rescue and relief operations called for by various national and international organisations. Preventive and preparedness measures were also lacking in terms of disasters. According to the MoHA, the government has sanctioned adequate budget to the District Disaster Management Fund of the affected for reconstruction of private houses damaged or destroyed by the rain-induced disasters.
According to a report, the disaster survivors will be entitled to the monetary support in line with the Monsoon-induced Disaster Affected Private Housing Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Grant Procedure .It said it was preparing to release additional budget to complete the post-disaster reconstruction and rehabilitation. The districts hit by monsoon-disasters include Bhojpur, Nuwakot, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Tanahun, Gorkha, Okhaldhunga, Sindhuli, Dailekh, Achham, Jumla, Rukum East, Sindhupalchowk, Kaski and Rupandehi, Rautahat, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Bajura, Mugu, Lamjung, Dang, Kailali, Morang, Kanchanpur, Darchula, Sarlahi, Kavre, Terhathum, Rasuwa, Myagdi and Baitadi districts.
Nepal is facing the wrath of natural and human-induced disasters with greater frequency and intensity. It is one of the disaster-prone countries. Keeping in mind the loss of lives and property caused by disasters, the MoHA said it had developed a comprehensive and integrated Disaster Information Management System for the purpose of information-based disaster risk reduction and response. According to the MoHA, the DIMS will help all agencies coordinate with one another to carry out disaster management activities in a faster, easier and more effective manner. The DIMS will be used as a common platform for all three tiers of government in disaster management.
