Opposition tables urgent motion on monsoon disaster preparedness

Kathmandu: Opposition parties have registered an urgent public importance motion in the National Assembly, calling on the Home Minister to clarify the government’s preparedness for monsoon-related disasters.

The motion, tabled by Kamala Panta, leader of the Nepali Congress Parliamentary Party in the National Assembly, has been supported by lawmakers from the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Nepal Communist Party, and Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal.

The proposal says the risk of floods, landslides, inundation, lightning strikes and glacial lake outburst floods is increasing with the onset of the monsoon, while the government’s preparedness remains inadequate.

It cites the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority’s Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan-2083, which estimates that more than 226,000 people from nearly 52,000 households could be affected by monsoon-related disasters this year.

The motion also raises concern over the vacant leadership position at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority and seeks details on coordination among federal, provincial and local governments, the effectiveness of early warning systems, communication mechanisms for remote areas, and preparations for rescue, relief, rehabilitation and the protection of vulnerable communities.