KATHMANDU, JUNE 4

The government has reported that over Rs 4.65 billion is available in the Disaster Management Fund to be used during emergencies.

According to Bandhu Prasad Bastola, Acting Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the fund is allocated for emergency response during disasters.

The current balances in the key disaster-related funds are as follows:

• Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund: Rs 1.89 billion
• Central Disaster Management Fund: Rs 1.27 billion
• Provincial Disaster Management Fund: Rs 794.1 million

By province, the fund balances include:

• Koshi: Rs 60.9 million
• Madhes: Rs 117.8 million
• Bagmati: Rs 75.8 million
• Gandaki: Rs 250 million
• Lumbini: Rs 65 million
• Karnali: Rs 95.2 million
• Sudurpaschim: Rs 118.9 million

In addition, a total of Rs 690.5 million is available across the 77 district-level disaster funds.

Bastola informed that the authority has expedited preparations for the upcoming monsoon season, with responsibilities clearly assigned to relevant agencies. "All clusters have been tasked with emergency preparedness and are ready for immediate deployment in the event of a disaster," he stated.

The available funds will be immediately mobilized as needed during emergency situations, he added.

(With inputs from RSS)