Home Minister orders high alert for monsoon disasters

KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has stated that security agencies have been directed to remain on high alert for disaster risk reduction and rescue operations as the country enters the monsoon season.

Addressing a program in Kathmandu on Sunday, Minister Lekhak emphasized the government’s proactive approach in preparing for potential disasters. “We are at the beginning of the monsoon. The government is doing its part to reduce risks and ensure timely response during emergencies,” he said.

He informed that the government has already allocated necessary funds to district disaster management committees to ensure immediate response in case of calamities.

Additionally, humanitarian aid warehouses have been set up in all seven provinces and handed over to provincial governments, although he noted that access to supplies in these warehouses remains bureaucratic, requiring written approval from the central authority to retrieve basic relief items like blankets.

Lekhak also shared that he personally visited the headquarters of Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to assess their readiness. “All security agencies including Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the National Investigation Department are in standby mode for disaster management across the country,” he added.

He further revealed that the Nepal Army has deployed helicopters in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Surkhet for emergency response during disasters.

Cautioning that the government alone cannot handle large-scale disasters due to limited resources, he called for a collaborative approach in disaster preparedness and response.