Kathmandu – With monsoon now active across Nepal, security agencies have stepped up disaster preparedness as forecasts warn of heavier rainfall and an increased risk of flood and landslides in the coming days.
The Meteorological Forecasting Division said the monsoon which entered Nepal on June 19 hasspread across the country on Tuesday. Weather conditions are expected to worsen on Wednesday and Thursday as a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal continues to push moisture into Nepal, increasing the monsoon activity.
In response, the Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal has established 54 temporary monsoon response bases in areas where difficult terrain could delay rescue operations. The force has also kept 16 permanent disaster response bases operational in high-risk locations.
APF Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General Netra Bahadur Karki informed specialised rescue teams, including divers have already been deployed in vulnerable areas. The force has also introduced the APF Community Alert System a mobile application that enables the public to report disasters instantly while its 1114 emergency hotline remains operational nationwide.
The Nepali Army has also activated a three phase monsoon preparedness plan. Troops and rescue teams have been positioned across the countrywith Bailey bridges placed on standby in Gajuri, Bharatpur and Bara to restore road links if floods or landslides disrupt transportation. Helicopters have been pre-positioned in Itahari and Surkhetwhile two more remain on standby in Kathmandu.
Weather related disasters have already claimed lives before the full arrival of monsoon. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority floods have killed six people since mid-April while strong winds have claimed 13 lives. Landslides have killed five people and heavy rainfall has caused three additional deaths.
Authorities have urged the public to remain alert follow weather advisories and avoid travel through flood and landslide-prone areas as the monsoon intensifies.
