Government Establishes Central Command Post to Enhance Monsoon Preparedness and Response Efforts
The National Emergency Operation Centre of the Ministry of Home Affairs has inaugurated a central command post dedicated to monsoon preparedness and response, aiming to address potential challenges during the upcoming monsoon season. This command post, operational from the onset to the conclusion of the monsoon, is anticipated to coordinate various precautionary measures, relief efforts, and rescue operations necessitated by seasonal adversities.
Dr. Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, Joint Secretary and Chief of the Disaster and Conflict Management Division at the Home Ministry, has been appointed to lead the command post. Anil Pokhrel, Chief Executive Officer for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, disclosed this development on Wednesday.
Under Dr. Bhusal's guidance, the command post will deploy preparation and response teams throughout the monsoon period. The establishment of this central command post aligns with a decision ratified by the Ministry of Home Affairs on May 30, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane.
Comprising members at the Joint Secretary level from various government entities such as the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Ministry of Health and Population, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and others, the command post aims to ensure comprehensive coordination in disaster management efforts. Moreover, key stakeholders from the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and other relevant agencies have been included as members to facilitate efficient response strategies.
Additionally, during its 23rd meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane on June 3, the Executive Committee endorsed the 'National Action Plan for Monsoon Preparedness and Response-2081', paving the way for its implementation with necessary revisions.
The Action Plan anticipates that approximately 1.81 million individuals and 412,000 households may be affected by disasters this year, with an estimated 83,000 households directly impacted by monsoon-induced calamities. To address these challenges, the command post is tasked with executing preparedness and response plans based on impact assessments, disseminating weather forecast information promptly, coordinating relief efforts, addressing public grievances, and facilitating search and rescue operations.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Energy, Irrigation, and Water Resources have been assigned specific responsibilities to ensure infrastructure resilience and timely provision of essential resources during emergencies.
The command post is mandated to convene regular meetings to review monsoon preparedness and response strategies, ensuring a proactive approach to safeguarding communities and mitigating the impact of disasters during the monsoon season.
