Post-disaster response is government’s high priority: Home Minister

KATHMANDU: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the recent flooding and landslides caused by the monsoon rains have so far resulted in 218 deaths, the missing of 27 people, and 143 injuries. He said the government is engaged in the post-disaster response with high priority.

In a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee, House of Representatives, today, the minister said that the government is focused on the search, rescue, and relief efforts in the wake of disasters.

He assured of free treatment of the injured, adding that clearance of major highways and roadways blocked by landslides is the government’s top priority.

Search and rescue operations continue. The distribution of relief materials to the affected is going on. The injured are being treated free of cost.  The District Disaster Management Committees are focused on the dispatch of relief materials and the rehabilitation of the survivors in an effective way.

According to the minister, a total of 4,022 people trapped in the districts were rescued with the help of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and volunteers.

The Kathmandu Valley and the Bagmati Province were affected the most by the rains which is said to be the most significant in the 50 years.

A total of 3,906 Nepal Army soldiers, 14,802 personnel of the Nepal Police, and 12,023 of the Armed Police Force have been mobilized for the search and rescue operations after the disasters.