Cabinet Takes 10 Decisions After Rasuwa Floods, From Free Treatment to Three-Month Disaster Crisis Declaration
Dragon Media Correspondent
The government has taken 10 major decisions following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River around Rasuwagadhi and downstream areas, focusing on search and rescue, medical treatment, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
A Cabinet meeting held on Bhadau 10 decided, among other measures, to declare local levels in the affected districts as disaster crisis zones for three months.
The Cabinet expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and property caused by the floods and paid tribute to those who died. It also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Ministry of Health and Population, Nepal Army and government hospitals have been instructed to arrange immediate free medical treatment for those injured in the disaster.
The Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence have been tasked with rescuing injured and stranded people and relocating them to safe areas. The government has decided to mobilize Nepal Army helicopters as well as helicopters from the private sector when necessary. The Home Minister has been instructed to mobilize all required resources, including helicopters, for rescue operations.
People whose homes or residences have been destroyed are to be moved to safer locations, with food and temporary accommodation arranged by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and relevant disaster management committees.
The government has also decided to restore roads disrupted by the floods as quickly as possible and ensure drinking water supplies in affected areas through the responsible infrastructure authorities.
The Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation and the Nepal Electricity Authority have been directed to immediately restore electricity services disrupted by the disaster.
The Cabinet has also instructed the concerned communications authorities to restore disrupted telecommunications services in the affected areas without delay.
Families of those killed in the disaster will receive financial assistance in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The Finance Minister has been assigned responsibility for coordinating the mobilization of financial resources required to restore and reconstruct damaged public structures and physical infrastructure. This includes roads, electricity, telecommunications, drinking water systems and other essential services.
The Cabinet also decided to declare local levels in disaster-affected districts as disaster crisis zones for three months under Section 32 of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2017.
The decisions assign responsibilities across ministries and government agencies to move from immediate search and rescue operations to medical care, temporary shelter, restoration of essential services and longer-term reconstruction.
