By Indira Aryal
Kathmandu, July 9: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has issued an alert warning of an increase in water levels in the risk-prone districts of the Terai region and other districts of Nepal.
The Authority has assessed the reports of Meteorological Forecasting Division that the monsoon will be active from Thursday night with heavy rainfall in State 1, 2, Bagmati and Gandaki.
The NDRRMA issued an alert to carry-out pre-monsoon preparedness in each district and to avert loss of lives from possible disaster.
It is forecast that the water level will rise in the Kankai, Koshi, Kamala, Bagmati and Narayani causing floods in the areas. The rivers in State-2, which flow down the Chure to Terai, hold the possibility of flooding. People living near the rivers in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Saptari, Siraha, Bara, Parsa, Rautahat and Chitwan are cautioned to stay alert. Apart from the four states, alert has been issued to the people of State 5, Karnali and Sudurpschim State as well.
Anil Pokharel, Chief Executive Officer at NDRRMA, said that the onset of monsoon had resulted in increasing number of landslides in different parts of the country, adding the forecast of heavy rains meant preparedness and response should be in place as per the action plan.
Pokharel said that they were working with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology and the Department of Irrigation to make the flood and flood-warning system more effective.
“We have sent letter to every municipality and Gaupalika on the preparedness and plan,” he added.
The monsoon has continued to remain active this year. The monsoon trough is entering the country that may cause heavy rainfall at many places of the country, mostly in the eastern and western regions, informed meteorology expert Barun Poudel.
“The monsoon that started three weeks ago will become more active from Thursday night to Monday. There are high chances of floods and landslides in various parts of the country,” he said.
The rural transportation services may be blocked due to landslides, and there may be thunderstorms. People should be aware and remain alert while travelling, he added.
According to Pokharel, drones are used from all district administration offices to assess the damage caused by the landslides and floods. The NDRRMA has asked to mobilise equipment and human resources available at the local level during the time of disaster for the rescue operation.
Pokharel said that a state disaster management executive committee had been formed to respond to and deal with disasters, while disaster preparedness and response plans had been formulated in all districts.
The authorities have also been asked to examine embankments and other structures built in the border areas to prevent flooding and inundation in the Terai, he said.