BHAKTAPUR, July 25: Among the four municipalities in Bhaktapur district, Changunarayan Municipality has been identified as the most disaster-prone area. Assistant Chief District Officer Chiranjivi Bhandari said that the municipality’s hilly terrain places it at a higher risk compared to other municipalities. He added that all areas from Ward No 1 to 9 fall under high-risk zones.
In a multi-party meeting organized by the District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) Bhaktapur to assess potential disaster-prone zones and ensure preparedness, authorities identified the district as vulnerable to monsoon-related disasters such as floods, landslides, inundation, earthquakes, fires, epidemics, storms, windstorms, and lightning. The meeting included representatives from the district’s four local levels—Bhaktapur, Suryabinayak, Changunarayan, and Madhyapur Thimi—as well as political parties, security forces, and various government agencies.
Chief District Officer Bharatmani Pandey instructed all stakeholders to remain on 24-hour alert in the event of a disaster. Authorities stressed the need for vigilance to prevent loss of life and property and to curb the spread of epidemics during such times. Experts warned of potential food crises due to damage to crops and seed storage, which could lead to seed shortages for the next planting season and lack of capital for reinvestment.
Changunarayan Temple at high-risk of landslip
Participants of the meeting raised concerns that landless people, smallholder farmers, and marginalized communities would be the most affected. Fertile land may become unproductive due to erosion; damage to livestock and rural livelihoods is likely. Floods could destroy urban and rural infrastructure, depriving communities of immediate essential services, they said. In the worst-case scenario, they said transportation may be cut off, and damage to communication, bridges, irrigation, drinking water, and sanitation infrastructure could worsen the crisis.
Dinesh Thapa, head of the Disaster Management Unit of Changunarayan Municipality, stated that the municipality is maintaining preparedness according to the standards set by the Disaster Authority. He reported that reconstruction work is underway at sites damaged in 2081. River widening has been carried out in Tabyakhusi and Ghatte Khola, and flood risk has been reduced through wire mesh distribution and embankment construction at vulnerable locations like Rightol and the Manohara River. Cleanup operations for rivers and canals have been carried out using dozers. The municipality has stored search and rescue materials, and mobilized disaster management volunteers, municipal police, dozers, sacks, tarpaulins, and plastic sheets in preparation.
He also informed that pre-monsoon preparedness and response plans have been implemented, with a focus on low-cost risk reduction measures. Public awareness messages regarding monsoon-related disasters have been broadcast through loudspeakers, and a Messenger group of volunteers has been formed. The municipality is disseminating alerts and information through its Facebook page and other social media platforms.
Thapa further stated that in landslide-prone areas, warning tape and signage have been installed, and the municipality has been actively involved in the distribution of relief materials to the affected individuals.
