Disaster-hit local units declared crisis-hit to expedite relief and reconstruction

Though late, the Cabinet has declared disaster-hit local units crisis-hit to expedite the relief and reconstruction efforts.
Earlier, in the afternoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has recommended the government to declare disaster-affected rural and municipalities of some 14 districts as crisis-hit areas. The Cabinet, in the evening, has declared the local units crisis-hit, according to a minister.
The NDRRMA, which should have been proactive and has the right to act as the central resource body for disaster risk reduction and management, has been under the shadow as always due to visionless and will powerless leadership, and also the lack of institutional capacity.
The chief executive of the NDRRMA Anil Pokharel has flown out of the country, on the same day the disaster hit the country, for some programme.
A meeting of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, today afternoon has recommended the government to declare some 46 palities to be crisis-hit, according to NDRRMA spokesperson Dr Dijan Bhattarai.

“Some four dozen municipalities and rural municipalities have been affected by the disaster,” he said adding once these areas are declared crisis-hit, reconstruction and rehabilitation work will proceed accordingly.
Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall on September 26-28 resulted in 239 deaths, with 18 people still missing, according to NDRRMA. “More than 17,000 individuals affected by floods and landslides have been rescued,” the data from Nepal Police revealed, adding that the physical damage including roads, bridges, and houses, caused by the disaster is estimated at Rs 25 billion.
According to the authority, local units in Taplejung, Kavre, Panchthar, Kathmandu, Sankhuwasabha, Lalitpur, Solukhumbu, Bhaktapur, Dolakha, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Makwanpur, Sindhupalchok, and Dhading are among the most affected.