Home ministry deploys task force for flood relief efforts

KATHMANDU, Oct 2: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has deployed a task force to assist with search, rescue, and relief operations in eight districts affected by heavy rains. The task force coordinators began their fieldwork on Wednesday morning, focusing on areas that have experienced flooding and landslides.

Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadee said that eight joint secretaries have been assigned to the impacted districts, which include Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavre, Sindhuli, Makwanpur, Sindhupalchok, and Dhading. Each district will have a designated coordinator to oversee relief efforts.

The appointed coordinators are Govinda Prasad Rijal in Kathmandu, Prakash Paudel in Lalitpur, Narayan Prasad Aryal in Bhaktapur, Basudev Ghimire in Kavrepalanchowk, Lalbabu Kawari in Sindhuli, Rambandhu Subedi in Makwanpur, Shyam Krishna Thapa in Sindhupalchowk, and Ramesh Dhakal in Dhading.

The task force is responsible for assessing damages caused by the floods and landslides, suggesting immediate actions, and coordinating necessary repairs for damaged roads. They will also work with local agencies to provide safe accommodation and relief to affected citizens.

The team includes representatives from several ministries, such as the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. They are required to submit their report to the Ministry of Home Affairs by October 7.

Additionally, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has deployed 10 section officers to the affected districts. Joint Secretary Basanta Adhikari announced that an ‘Action Team’ is operational in the municipalities to facilitate the distribution of cash and material relief while reporting conditions back to the center on a daily basis.