51,000 households at risk as monsoon threat looms in Nepal
To minimize potential losses and strengthen emergency response efforts, the government has already completed key preparedness measures.
KATHMANDU: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has estimated that around 51,000 households across the country could be affected by this year’s monsoon, with approximately 226,000 people exposed to disaster risks.
According to NDRRMA Information Officer Shanti Mahat, the monsoon system entered Nepal through Koshi Province on June 19 and remains weak in the province.
Authorities expect it to become active across the country in the coming days.
To minimize potential losses and strengthen emergency response efforts, the government has already completed key preparedness measures.
The NDRRMA has approved and distributed the “National Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan 2083” to all provinces, district administration offices, and local governments for implementation.
Most local governments have also developed and begun implementing their own disaster preparedness plans based on the national framework.
Mahat said the action plan not only addresses monsoon-related disasters but also includes measures to tackle risks arising from drought and extreme heat.
Responsibilities of federal, provincial, and local authorities have been clearly defined to ensure coordinated action during emergencies.
The authority has identified Lumbini, Koshi, and Madhesh provinces as the regions most likely to face severe monsoon-related impacts this year, while Karnali Province is expected to be comparatively less affected.
As part of preparedness efforts, rescue equipment, relief supplies, and emergency materials have been procured in greater quantities than in previous years and strategically stockpiled across the country.
Trained personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepali Army, including specialized divers, have been placed on standby for rapid deployment.
The NDRRMA has also established a coordination mechanism involving 11 ministries to streamline disaster response, relief distribution, and rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the disaster helpline 1149 will now be operated not only at the central level but also through District Emergency Operation Centers under all 77 District Administration Offices, ensuring faster response during emergencies.
The authority has urged residents, particularly those living in disaster-prone areas, to remain alert and take necessary precautions as the monsoon season intensifies.
