KATHMANDU, NOV 18: The government has finalised drafts of first national action plans to address the impacts of heavy snowfall in Himalayan and high-hill regions and cold waves in the Tarai during the winter season.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), under the Ministry of Home Affairs, completed the drafts following consultations with concerned stakeholders. Meanwhile, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has directed the Authority to immediately carry out all necessary preparedness measures to minimise risks posed by both hazards.
According to NDRRMA Chief Executive Officer Dinesh Prasad Bhatt, the action plans are now ready to be endorsed by the Authority’s Executive Committee, chaired by the Home Minister.
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The plans identify 29 districts across the northern high-altitude belt as highly vulnerable to snowfall and outline strategic interventions to reduce potential risks. Likewise, 21 districts have been marked as likely to be severely affected by cold waves this winter. Among the Tarai districts, Jhapa, Sunsari and Morang in Koshi Province, along with eight districts in Madhes Province—Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara and Parsa—are expected to experience harsh cold-wave conditions.
Nawalparasi (East and West), Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur have also been listed as highly affected, while Udaypur, Makwanpur, Sindhuli and Surkhet fall under the moderately affected category.
The NDRRMA stated that this is the first time Nepal has drafted national plans specifically targeting snowfall and cold waves, with the objective of reducing damage and disruptions to public life through coordinated action among all relevant agencies.
Heavy snowfall typically occurs from November to March in the Himalayan and high-hill regions, while cold waves significantly impact the Tarai during the same period.
In Koshi Province, seven districts—Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Panchthar, Tehrathum and upper Bhojpur—have been identified as high-risk snowfall zones. In Bagmati Province, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa and Dhading are expected to face severe snowfall. Gorkha, Manang, Mustang, Baglung and Kaski in Gandaki Province have been listed among the vulnerable districts, while Rukum (East) is the only district in Lumbini Province classified in this category. Dolpa, Jumla, Mugu, Humla and Kalikot in Karnali Province, as well as Bajura, Bajhang, Darchula, Baitadi and Dadeldhura in Sudurpaschim Province, also fall under the high-risk group.
Bhatt said that the action plans aim to ensure relief and protection for vulnerable populations, particularly impoverished households in mountainous regions and groups such as the elderly, children, chronically ill individuals, pregnant and postpartum women and persons with disabilities. The plans include provisions for advance stockpiling of essential relief supplies to minimise disruptions to daily life and support emergency response efforts. Provincial and local governments will also be required to prepare and implement context-specific plans in line with the national framework.
Snowfall poses significant challenges to public health, transportation, communication networks, livelihoods and daily life, Bhatt noted, adding that mitigation remains difficult in remote, high-altitude terrain. The plans call for identifying at-risk regions and updating data on vulnerable populations by December 1. Throughout December, authorities aim to strengthen preparedness, forecasting and early warning mechanisms to ensure accurate and timely information reaches affected communities.
