Government introduces disaster hotline 1234 for faster rescue and emergency assistance

Kathmandu: The Home Ministry has launched the disaster hotline 1234 in all 77 districts to make disaster reporting, rescue coordination and emergency services faster and more effective.

According to the Ministry, the previously used toll-free number 1149 has been replaced by 1234.

Calls made to 1234 from Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur will be handled by the National Emergency Operation Centre at Singha Durbar.

Calls from the remaining 74 districts will be automatically routed to the respective District Emergency Operation Centre.

The Ministry said the new system will enable people to directly report disaster-related incidents, seek assistance, lodge complaints and obtain information through their district emergency operation centres, helping improve the speed and effectiveness of emergency response.

The service has been introduced in line with the government’s policy of making public service delivery more efficient, accountable and results-oriented.

The Ministry has urged the public to follow official disaster warnings and advisories and to call 1234 whenever emergency assistance is required.