Kathmandu, Oct. 5: The government has decided to suspend, for the time being, search and rescue operations following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, except for essential operations.
The 21st meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday, decided to direct the concerned agencies to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation alongside essential search operations.
The decision was taken based on recommendations from the District Security Committees, District Disaster Management Committees, the Executive Committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, as well as findings from field inspections.
The meeting also decided to recommend to the Ministry of Finance the approval of a budget of Rs. 559.17 billion for 504 plans and programmes submitted by various ministries and agencies for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas.
The required resources for the approved plans will be managed through the Ministry of Finance in accordance with the Financial Procedures and Fiscal Responsibility Regulations, 2020.
The meeting also directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to recommend additional budget allocations to the Ministry of Finance once details are received of projects whose cost estimates have not yet been determined or which have yet to be prioritised.
Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Shah said disaster management efforts had been carried out through coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments, and that reconstruction and rehabilitation would also proceed through the same mechanism.
During the meeting, leaders of the opposition, the parliamentary party leader of the Nepali Congress, and the chief ministers of Bagmati, Gandaki, Madhes and Koshi provinces expressed their full support for the reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
The meeting expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods and monsoon-related disasters, and paid tribute to those who lost their lives while extending deep condolences to the bereaved families.
The council also expressed its appreciation and gratitude to security personnel, elected representatives, civil servants, the private sector, volunteers and journalists involved in search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts under difficult circumstances, as well as to donor countries and development partners for their support.
-TRN Online