KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Home Affairs has urged provincial governments, district disaster management committee and local levels to enhance alertness and coordination to effectively deal with natural disasters like floods, landslides and inundation as well as problems arising out of the disasters.

A stakeholders' meeting, held at the ministry on Thursday in the aftermath of flood impact in various parts of the country following incessant rains, has decided to activate bodies like the national emergency operation centre and department of hydrology and meteorology, and to disseminate prior information on rainfall. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa chaired the meeting.

The meeting decided that chief district officer shall play a leading role in the district for mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development works, for carrying out effective disaster response, as well as for operating disaster management-friendly local administration.

Likewise, the meeting decided to keep the helicopters of Nepal Army, and human resources and logistics of Armed Police Force on standby for rescue works. The Department of Health Services would also keep the essential medicines and doctors' teams ready for this purpose.

A press release issued by ministry spokesman Ram Krishna Subedi, at the conclusion of the meeting, stated that various districts including the three districts within Kathmandu Valley have been affected by the heavy rains on Wednesday night.

It further said that the flood and landslide displaced families would be provided an immediate assistance of Rs 10,000, and search and rescue operations for the missing persons would be continued.