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Lawmakers have drawn the attention of the government towards the urgency for making early preparedness regarding the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) more effective as monsoon has already set in the country and thus monsoon-induced disasters are likely. It may be noted that monsoon entered Nepal on June 15 this year and has spread to the eastern and central part of the country as of now. Monsoon-induced disasters are occurring in various areas in the eastern part of the country, causing the loss of lives and property. Airing their voices in the Zero Hour of the House of Representatives (HoR) here today, the lawmakers called for identifying vulnerable settlements and relocating the habitants there to safer places before the disaster take place. They urged the government to devise and execute an effective action-plan for minimizing the damages incurred from the disasters as well as to step up disaster operations such as search and rescue, relief distribution, resettlement and rehabilitation among others. Rajendra KC said that the government should roll out action-plan for search and rescue, relief distribution and reconstruction of the infrastructures sustaining damages in the disasters. Similarly, Bhanubhakta Joshi said that Bajhang district, a hilly district in the Sudurpaschim Province, was prone to natural disasters and thus demanded relocation of locals residing at such zones. He said that Bhopur of Jay Prithivi Municipality, Satyabadi School premises, Dadagaun of Bithadchir Rural Municipality, Deval and Kanda of Surma Rural Municipality are at high risk of natural disasters. "May the government pay timely attention towards disaster risk reduction." Man Bahadur Gurung appealed to the government to routinely monitor the watershed area of Madi and Seti River in Kaski district as well as the glacier lake and make early warning systems more effective. "Monsoon has already started. Disasters happen unexpectedly. Major disasters took place in the eastern area including Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha last night. There is probability for such disaster to take place in the days to come. The government should pay its attention to it." Manish Jha stressed the need for relocating settlements vulnerable to disasters to safety stating that fear has taken over people of mountain districts. He also drew the attention of the government to make preparedness for disasters more effective. Similarly, Manbir Rai demanded that the government inform the parliament about the disasters in the eastern districts. He also asked the government to provide reliefs to the affected people at the earliest. Bimala Subedi called the attention of the government to the residents of Banchadanda facing various health problems due to the landfill site where waste is being dumped in violation of set standards. Mahesh Kumar Bartaula urged the government to provide equal access to health services for people. Metmani Chaudhary demanded the government ensure a reliable market for farmers' produce and take initiatives to address their pressing issues while Menaka Kumari Pokhrel expressed concern over the government decision to withdraw a case concerning the physical assault against TU teacher Prem Chalaune. Maina Karki drew the government attention towards the prompt need of implementing measures to reduce road accidents while Mangal Prasad Gupta urged the government to promptly address issues of sugarcane farmers. Raghuji Pant demanded the government prevent possible physical assaults and abuses against university faculty members by student unions themselves. "Cases of physical assaults and abuses against University teachers and office-bearers are rising," he said. Sunita Baral expressed concern over the government decision to withdraw a case concerning the physical abuse against TU lecturer Prem Chalaune, demanding the government ensure a safe atmosphere in universities. Meena Tamang, Mukta Kumari Yadav, Manju Sharma Ansari, Ranedra Baraili, Ranju Kumari Jha, Ram Kumar Yadav, Rupa Shoshi Chaudhary, Roshan Karki, Rekha Yadav, Lal Prasad Sawa Limbu and Leelanath Shrestha were among those drawing the government's attention towards various contemporary issues in the House session today.

The Koshi provincial government has announced an immediate relief of Rs 100,000 to the families of people killed in the flood and landslide in various districts of the province. A meeting of the Koshi Province Disaster Management Committee convened on Sunday evening decided to provide Rs 100,000 to the families of those killed in the disaster, Minister for Drinking Water, Irrigation, Energy and Health Til Kumar Menyagbo said. Minister Menyagbo made an on-site observation of the disaster-hit some districts in the province on Sunday. He said the meeting decided to step up work for the medical treatment of those injured in the disaster, for the reconstruction of the physical infrastructures (houses), for repair and construction of the bridges, roads and highways damaged due to the floods and landslide at the earliest so as to resume traffic.

Five thematic committees, out of seven in the Mades Province Assembly (PA), have got presidents while women have taken the charge of three. The nominations of presidents took place unanimously for the Development Committee, Finance and Planning, Natural Resources and Environment, Public Account, and Women, Children and Social Justice committees formed as the Rule 146 of the PA Regulations to Conduct the Business -2075 BS. Sharada Shankar Prasad Kalawar of Janata Samajbadi Party is nominated to preside the Development Committee, Satish Kumar Singh takes charge of Finance and Planning, Sharada Das Pahadi of CPN (Maoist Centre) is to preside the Natural Resources Committee, Manju Kumar Thapa Magar of CPN (UML) has been nominated on Public Account Committee and Rupa Kumari Yadav of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party takes charge of Women, Children and Social Welfare Committee. They took the oath of office and secrecy before Speaker Ramchandra Mandal today. They assumed office today itself. Now, the nominations on the Agriculture and Land Management and Province Affairs committees are awaited.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Nepal Samajbadi Party (NSP) Chairman Baburam Bhattarai held a meeting on Friday. During the meeting held at the Prime Minister Dahal’s official residence in Baluwatar this morning, they discussed contemporary political issues. The meeting focused on the recent visit of the PM to India, federal budget, and remaining tasks of the peace process including the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission among others, said Bhattarai. They also discussed the issue of the formation of a socialist front. According to Bhattarai, also the former PM, an agreement has been made on concluding ideological, policy, program and organizational procedures to form a broader socialist front to continue to take the society on the progressive path while safeguarding achievements made so far including the federal democratic republic. Stating that an understanding has been reached to move ahead after discussing the matter with all sides, he said, "There is an understanding reached between us. I urge all not to go after rumors."