Kathmandu, June 18: Minister for Home Affairs Sudhan Gurung has said the government’s primary objective during the monsoon season is to ensure zero human casualties from floods, landslides and other natural disasters through better preparedness and coordinated response.
Addressing a special meeting at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) on Thursday, the Home Minister said disaster preparedness programmes should be designed and implemented with the goal of preventing any loss of life.
He directed authorities to identify flood- and landslide-prone areas in advance and formulate policies and programmes accordingly. Stressing the need for an integrated approach, Gurung said all agencies involved in disaster preparedness, rescue and relief must strengthen coordination to minimize both human and property losses.
“It is necessary to work in a way that reduces the loss of life and property through collaboration and coordination among all agencies involved in relief and rescue. We should no longer hear news of anyone losing their life unnecessarily due to disasters,” he said.
The Home Minister also called for a shift from the traditional reactive approach to disaster management, noting that authorities have often focused on rescue and relief only after disasters occur.
“We have generally become active only after disasters strike, resulting in less effective outcomes. Now, all concerned agencies must prioritize preparedness and early warning before disasters occur,” he said.
Gurung also warned against the misuse of government helicopters for inspection visits to disaster-affected areas. Referring to past instances of unnecessary helicopter trips by unauthorized officials, he said such practices would no longer be tolerated.
He clarified that helicopters deployed for flood and landslide inspections would be used strictly for operational purposes and that only security personnel and officials directly engaged in rescue and relief operations would be permitted to use them.
The meeting was attended by the chiefs of Nepal’s three security agencies, senior government officials and disaster management personnel. #nepal
