KATHMANDU, Nov 23: The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority informed that the country recorded 18 disaster incidents on November 22. Of these, 15 were fire incidents. Udayapur, Rautahat, Bara, Kathmandu and Kapilvastu reported two fire incidents each.
Makwanpur, Chitwan, Kaski and Kailali saw heavy property damage due to fires. On the same day, a dry landslide from above blocked both sides of the Besisahar–Chame road section in Naso Rural Municipality 1 of Manang. Dhanusha and Dadeldhura reported snakebite cases. Two people were injured in the disasters, and the estimated loss reached Rs 5,370,550.
Fire incidents on the rise; three die in 38 incidents
On November 21, the country recorded 19 disaster incidents, including 15 fire incidents. Sunsari and Parsa each saw two fire cases. The Authority reported property losses in Jhapa, Panchthar, Sunsari, Khotang, Udayapur, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Lamjung, Parbat, Nawalparasi East and Palpa due to fires. That day, a dry landslide blocked the road completely in Ribdikot 3 of Palpa. In Saptari, Chitwan and Mugu, people injured by animal attacks were taken to nearby hospitals.
On November 20, the country recorded 20 disaster incidents, with 13 involving fires. Rupandehi and Kaski each logged three fire incidents. Jhapa had two, and Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Bara and Dang also suffered property losses from fire. Eleven people were injured that day, and losses were estimated at Rs 1,365,000. Five animal attack cases were reported in Jhapa, Morang, Dhanusha, Bajhang and Achham.
On November 19, 16 disaster incidents occurred nationwide, including 12 fires. Three hypothermia cases and one animal attack case were recorded. Estimated losses stood at Rs 27,631,000.
On November 18, the country recorded 17 disaster incidents, of which 13 were fires. Kanchanpur and Sunsari each reported two fire incidents. Jhapa, Udayapur, Saptari, Siraha, Tanahun, Nawalparasi East, Rupandehi and Achham also reported fire losses. There were individual cases of hypothermia, snakebite and animal attacks. Five people were injured and property losses reached Rs 3,140,000.
On November 17, all 10 recorded disaster incidents were fire-related. Two people were injured and damage amounted to Rs 1,493,000. According to the Authority, some fires were caused by negligence, while others stemmed from electrical short circuits.
Lack of awareness and careless behavior have contributed to heavy losses from fire. The Authority has urged people to take caution while lighting fires or handling flammable materials. It said that simple precautions can protect property built through years of effort and called on everyone to remain alert.
