Disaster Authority Urges Monsoon Vigilance as Three Die in 24 Hours

Kathmandu– The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged the public to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season, warning of increased risks from floods, landslides, river erosion, inundation, lightning, and snakebites. The authority has advised people to take precautionary measures to protect lives and property, including checking weather forecasts and road conditions before traveling and avoiding unnecessary travel during heavy rainfall, particularly at night. It also urged the public not to cross flooded rivers or streams, avoid rivers for fishing, swimming, or collecting firewood during rain, stay away from landslide-prone areas, and refrain from taking photos or videos on unsafe bridges and riverbanks. People have also been encouraged to keep drains clean, maintain clean surroundings to reduce snakebite risks, carry emergency supplies, and rely only on official sources for weather and disaster-related information.

The authority further advised residents to move immediately to a safe place if signs of a disaster appear and to inform local authorities or security agencies without delay. It also recommended keeping important documents, essential medicines, non-perishable food, and emergency items packed in a single bag, ensuring mobile phones remain charged, and using flashlights when going outdoors at night. For disaster information and rescue services, the public has been asked to contact 1234, 100, or 1114, while weather-related information is available through 1155. Nepal’s monsoon officially began on June 19 (Asar 5), and the authority said preventive measures remain the most effective way to reduce monsoon-related casualties and damage.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMA reported 47 disaster-related incidents across the country in the past 24 hours, causing an estimated NPR 1.31 million in losses. The incidents claimed three lives and left eight people injured. Between the morning of Shrawan 5 and Shrawan 6, authorities recorded 14 landslides, eight snakebite incidents, eight fire incidents, eight continuous rainfall-related incidents, two floods, three animal attacks, and one windstorm, underscoring the ongoing impact of monsoon-related disasters and the need for continued public vigilance.