KATHMANDU: The government has decided to classify disaster-related issues raised by members of the House of Representatives during their recent meeting with Prime Minister Balen Shah and prioritize them based on risk within three days. It has also been decided that tasks which can be completed within the current fiscal year will be finished by June 29.

A meeting of officials related to disaster risk reduction and management, held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, made several key decisions aimed at minimizing potential disaster risks during the upcoming dry and monsoon seasons.

The meeting agreed to assess required resources and submit requests for any shortfall to the Ministry of Finance within three days.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the meeting decided that necessary resources for preventing and responding to seasonal disasters such as droughts and forest fires during the dry season, and floods, landslides, inundation, and river erosion during the monsoon, will be managed through the allocated budgets of the respective ministries. Any additional funding needs will be requested from the Ministry of Finance.

The meeting also decided that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority will prepare an integrated inventory of disaster management equipment and supplies available across various agencies within five days. Based on coordination with concerned agencies, additional required equipment will be identified and procured on a priority basis, with budget allocation from the Ministry of Finance.

It was further decided to ensure effective coordination among federal, provincial, and local governments at all stages of disaster management. Similarly, cross-border information exchange related to weather and disaster data will be advanced through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with neighboring countries.

To strengthen overall disaster management, all concerned agencies will immediately designate focal persons to improve coordination and ensure efficient operations.

The meeting also discussed disaster preparedness, the monsoon emergency action plan, and the Chure conservation project. Issues raised during the meeting between the Prime Minister and members of the House of Representatives were also presented.

According to Secretary Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, who participated in the meeting, discussions included urgent disaster-related concerns raised by lawmakers, along with proposals for immediate action.

The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister’s advisor for information and communication technology Bibek Mishra, Chief Secretary Kirank Raj Sharma of the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Finance Secretary Ghanashyam Upadhyay, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Secretary Sarita Dwadi, Defense Secretary Kedarnath Sharma, and other senior officials. Representatives from the Disaster Management Directorate, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, and Department of Water Resources and Irrigation were also present.

Officials reiterated that resources required for disaster risk reduction and management will be arranged from the respective ministry budgets, while additional needs will be requested from the Ministry of Finance within three days.

The meeting also decided to classify issues raised by lawmakers in their discussion with Prime Minister Balen Shah regarding disaster-affected areas across the country, prioritize them within three days based on risk level, and complete feasible tasks within this fiscal year by Asar 15 (June 29). Medium- and long-term tasks that cannot be completed within the current fiscal year will be included as priority programs in the upcoming budget.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority will prepare a consolidated inventory of disaster risk reduction equipment within five days. Additional equipment requirements will be identified in coordination with concerned agencies and procured on a priority basis, with necessary budget provision from the Ministry of Finance.

All relevant ministries and agencies will coordinate effectively with provincial and local governments in all stages of disaster management. Government bodies will also proceed with cross-border data and information sharing related to weather and disasters through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Each agency involved in disaster management will designate focal persons immediately to strengthen coordination and improve operational efficiency.

The meeting reviewed disaster preparedness status and available resources, and also discussed the monsoon emergency action plan and the Chure conservation project. Issues requiring immediate attention raised during the Prime Minister’s discussions with lawmakers were presented in the meeting.

Lawmakers had previously drawn attention to urgent issues in districts including Ilam, Sunsari, Jhapa, Solukhumbu, Rautahat, Mahottari, Saptari, Sarlahi, Kaski, Nawalparasi (East of Bardaghat Susta), Palpa, Bajhang, Kanchanpur, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Chitwan, Kathmandu, Rasuwa, Dhading, Dolakha, Bhaktapur, Ramechhap, Lamjung, Banke, Parbat, Myagdi, Baglung, and Kailali.

Key urgent concerns include flood, river erosion, and inundation control; drainage and urban drainage system improvement; implementation of integrated flood management master plans; landslide risk reduction and settlement protection; immediate landslide prevention in high-risk settlements; soil conservation and relocation/rehabilitation of affected households; special disaster classification and early warning systems for high-risk districts; water resources and irrigation management; urban flood management; energy and hydropower infrastructure protection; and long-term reconstruction and governance reforms.