Kathmandu, March 23: In addition to the increase in fire incidents recently, it has been seen that the loss of life and property is also increasing. In 18,791 fire incidents from Baisakh 2070 BS to Chait 7, 2079 BS, 769 people died and 2,568 were injured.
According to the statistics of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, there has been an economic loss of more than Rs 22 billion during that period. Wildfires cause huge environmental damage to trees, wild animals, and herbs. During this period, there were 2,280 incidents of lightning, resulting in 911 deaths and 2,545 injuries. In addition, it is mentioned in the statistics that 2,803 animals were also damaged.
Anil Pokharel, the executive head of the authority, informed that the incidents of fire have increased tenfold in the last 10 years and said that they are taking initiatives including structural reforms, transfer of equipment, development of information systems, effective communication, and training to reduce and manage them. The Authority has started a system to organize all the information in one portal to receive information on all types of disaster risk including fire, forest fire, lightning and conduct mitigation and management activities accordingly.
He informed that an e-learning course is being designed by developing training material suitable for fire control squads of Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Forest Users Group and Forest Technicians of the Government of Nepal who are engaged in fire and forest fire control. Sundar Prasad Sharma, Deputy Secretary of the Authority and fire expert, said that due to the increase in temperature due to climate change, forest fires and fire incidents may become more serious, so all related agencies of the state and consumers should also be aware of this.
The Authority has procured materials required for fire and forest fire control and distributed them to various district administration offices and local levels. So far, 21 district administration offices have received a set of fire fighting equipment including portable fire fighting pumps. The authority has provided necessary equipment in the district administration offices of Ilam, Bara, Parsa, Sindhuli, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Nawalparasi East, Nawalparasi West, Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Dang, Salyan, Surkhet, Banke, Bardia, Acham, Kailali, Doti, Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur.
Apart from pumps, the distributed equipment sets include fire swatter, fire rack, fire axe, first aid kit, fire fighting jump suit, fire boots, helmet, backpack jump, head torch, shovel etc. Ambukhaireni and Bandipur Rural Municipality of Tanahun, Bahrbise Municipality of Sindhupalchok, Barahpokhari Rural Municipality of Khotang, Manthali Municipality of Ramechhap and Ratnanagar Municipality of Chitwan have also been provided with ‘set’ of equipment used in fire control along with pumps. Portable pumps have been handed over to District Administration Office Rasuwa and Sindhupalchok and Saptari’s Tirhut Rural Municipality and Taplejung’s Fungling Municipality and Mirangden Rural Municipality.
The Authority has prepared an information system to mobilize volunteers in an institutional manner for all types of disaster risk reduction and response, including fire and forest fires. After the 12th meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee held on Magh 14, 2078 BS passed the ‘Disaster Management Volunteer Bureau Formation and Operation Procedure-2078 BS’, more prevention and control work has started in this regard.
