AIG Karki urges weather compliance to cut monsoon road accidents
AIG Karki emphasized that modern weather forecasting technology has become highly reliable.
KATHMANDU: Additional Inspector General (AIG) Ishwar Karki has urged all concerned stakeholders to strictly follow official weather forecasts during the monsoon season to minimize road accidents and loss of life and property.
Speaking at the inauguration of a monsoon-focused awareness program and support stall organized by the Kathmandu Valley Traffic Police Office, AIG Karki emphasized that modern weather forecasting technology has become highly reliable.
However, he warned that ignoring forecasts continues to lead to serious accidents.
He directed transport entrepreneurs and drivers to prioritize human safety over profit, urging them not to operate vehicles in high-risk conditions or force travel through hazardous routes during adverse weather.
He also appealed to both drivers and passengers to postpone journeys when conditions deteriorate.
Highlighting recent improvements in the transport sector, Karki noted that illegal or unmanaged parking practices have significantly declined, which he described as a positive development.
He also shared that basic infrastructure inside bus parks has improved and stressed the importance of continued compliance with traffic regulations.
On the use of technology in transport safety, he said more than 400 vehicles have already been equipped with GPS tracking systems and dashboard cameras. He expressed confidence that these tools will help accurately reconstruct accidents and improve access to justice.
Karki also urged full implementation of online ticketing systems and the “luggage tag” system introduced for passenger baggage security, calling on the Nepal Transport Entrepreneurs National Federation to ensure effective enforcement.
“Today, weather forecasting technology has become highly accurate, but we still fail to follow it,” he said. “If we accept forecasts and plan travel accordingly, many risks can be avoided. Even when police try to stop risky travel, people proceed and later demand rescue. This double standard creates further complications. Everyone must take greater responsibility for their own safety.”
He further stressed the need for stronger coordination among all stakeholders to prevent tragic incidents such as vehicles and passengers being swept away or going missing due to floods and landslides, as seen in previous monsoon seasons.
