There should be brief chain-of-command in disaster response: CoAS Sigdel

Kathmandu: Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Ashok Raj Sigdel has said that based on the disaster response experience in the Bhotekoshi and Budhigandaki corridors, a clear ‘chain of command’ with definite responsibilities is needed during such times.

In a meeting today of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Study and Monitoring of the Disaster in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki Corridor Disaster, the CoAS expressed that although there was some improvement in coordination compared to the past in disaster response, it still needs to be made more effective.

Chief of the Army Staff Sigdel suggested that it is necessary to clarify by categorising according to the nature of the disaster and responsibilities, and since a long chain of command can delay the response, a streamlined command structure is needed.

Although the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2074, and Regulations, 2076, assign coordinating roles to various bodies, according to the Emergency Operations Centre Operation Procedure, 2025, there is no clear ‘chain of command, the Army Chief said, adding that, in the initial stages, there has been operational confusion in the field over who should lead the response between the army, security, and civilian bodies.

After the Bhotekoshi floods, when 21 helicopters were deployed over a 35 nautical mile area, Army Chief Sigdel mentioned that managing the airspace was challenging and that unnecessary drone flights caused problems for rescue operations, highlighting the need for effective airspace management during such times.

He pointed out that the existing air capabilities of the army are the nation’s own capabilities and should be developed in an integrated way, suggesting strengthening the army’s airbases and adding planes and helicopters as needed.

The CoAS suggested that the army’s air capability should be maintained at the highest level as a national asset. Mentioning that around 35 to 40 percent of pilots working in private airlines and about 80 percent of the pilots of the Nepali Army are experienced, Chief of Army Staff Sigdel said that upgrading is necessary to prevent the army’s existing air capacity from weakening. He mentioned that in each province, locations should be identified to meet minimum requirements so that camps can be run immediately during disasters if needed.

The Nepali Army suggested that development projects should only be carried out after a multi-risk assessment and mapping of disasters, and that completed projects should be relocated as needed. Chief of Army Staff Sigdel said that during disasters, specialised teams, damage and needs assessment teams, and necessary equipment should be kept ready for immediate rescue in tunnels and submerged structures. He pointed out the need for high-capacity ‘sludge pumps’, solar systems, breathing equipment for confined spaces, tunnel communication systems, and devices like thermal LiDAR drones.

The army suggested that before deploying foreign rescue teams, a needs assessment should be carried out and they should be called in only as required. The army also suggested controlling the tendency to enter the rescue site without coordination and arranging entry based on priorities. According to the Army, since there have been situations where personnel entered the field for rescue and response operations without helmets, flash jackets, or necessary equipment, such actions must be stopped in the future.

It was suggested that the district level should take the lead in disaster response, restoration, reconstruction, and recovery, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority should provide the necessary support.

The Army suggests that post-disaster search and rescue should continue during the recovery phase, debris should be cleared, important structures should be restored, road connectivity should be prioritised, and the health and education systems should be expanded.

RSS