Editorial: Whither disaster preparedness

This year’s monsoon season has once again exposed the glaring shortcomings in the government’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. With more than 80 lives lost, hundreds injured and thousands displaced across the country in just the first month of monsoon rains, it is clear that the authorities have failed to learn from past experiences and implement effective measures to mitigate the impact of annual floods, landslides and other disasters.

Police say 161 houses are submerged in floods, 138 houses are damaged, 54 animal sheds are destroyed, 41 bridges have collapsed, and 2,764 families are displaced due to various disaster incidents. The fact that such extensive damage occurs year after year reflects the government's inability to address this recurring issue. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority, 92 people died due to monsoon-related disasters last year. Likewise, 30 went missing and 168 sustained injuries in different incidents. A total of 459 landslide incidents, along with 142 cases of flooding, 168 instances of heavy rainfall and 113 reports of lightning in 2023.

Experts have raised questions about the rainfall forecasting capabilities of our authorities. Although there is now a system to send alerts to people whenever water levels in major rivers rise, there is no such mechanism for other disaster events. Infrastructure development in Nepal has also been shortsighted. The collapse of 41 bridges and damage to roads not only highlight a lack of resilient infrastructure but severely hamper rescue and relief efforts, isolating affected communities when they need help the most. This points to a systemic failure in planning and executing infrastructure projects that can withstand the country’s challenging topography and climate.

Moreover, the government’s disaster response appears reactive rather than proactive. The focus seems to be on search and rescue operations after disasters strike, rather than on preventive measures and community preparedness. While the efforts of rescue teams are commendable, a more proactive approach could save more lives and reduce the scale of devastation. As Nepal faces the increasing challenges of climate change, the need for effective disaster management is more pronounced than ever. The government must act now to prevent future tragedies and protect its citizens from the devastating impacts of natural disasters.