A meeting of the Council of Ministers held yesterday evening decided to release one billion rupees for the Disaster Relief Fund as part of the government’s initiative to expedite the rescue and relief operations for the disaster-hit communities.
The Ministry of Finance will immediately provide NPR 1 billion to the fund, as per the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2074 BS. Additionally, the cabinet decided to observe nationwide mourning and lower the national flag for three days in memory of the hundreds killed in the floods, landslides, and inundations caused by the downpour on September 27 and 28.
As decided in the cabinet meeting, the concerned ministries will immediately submit the estimated losses and damages caused by the disasters to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. Essential services such as drinking water, bridges, roads, telecommunications, power supply, and other vital services will also be restored promptly.
The federal ministries will coordinate with provincial ministries and local governments to implement measures to control the spread of infectious diseases and relocate vulnerable communities to safer areas. The government also decided to ensure public transportation operates efficiently, particularly with the upcoming festivals in mind, and will work to prevent artificial shortages and black-marketing.
It was also decided to form and mobilize a team to conduct an on-site study of issues related to the relief and rescue of disaster-affected households. This team will include representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs and will focus on the most affected districts in coordination with provincial and local officials.
In a show of solidarity, the meeting decided that one month’s salary from each member of the Council of Ministers will be deposited into the Disaster Survivors’ Relief Fund. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, after returning home from attending the 79th General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, convened the Council of Ministers immediately upon his return to address the situation.
The recent nonstop rainfall has caused landslides and flooding, claiming 217 lives, with 28 missing and 143 injured. All security agencies are fully mobilized for search, rescue, and relief efforts. The injured are receiving treatment, and affected individuals are being provided with immediate relief. The government is prioritizing rescue operations, with efforts underway to reopen blocked roads.
-Sweta Singh (Kathmandu)