Special parliamentary committee seeks detailed flood damage, relief data from govt

KATHMANDU: The parliamentary special committee of the National Assembly studying and monitoring disasters in Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki riverbank areas has asked the government to provide detailed information on damage and relief distribution in 49 flood-affected wards.

Committee Chairperson Krishna Prasad Paudel said detailed records were necessary to ensure effective parliamentary monitoring of damage assessment and relief distribution at municipal and ward levels.

At a meeting on Tuesday, the committee decided to request details of total relief distributed in the affected areas, including ward-wise breakdowns of cash assistance, food supplies and other aid.

The committee also urged the government to arrange for ward chairpersons and technicians to prepare and verify damage records in each affected ward. It sought comprehensive data on human casualties, missing and displaced persons, livestock losses, crop damage, communication infrastructure, schools and the condition of children in each municipality and ward.

In addition, the committee called for damage records in every affected ward to be prepared with the signatures of ward chairpersons and technicians.

The committee has scheduled discussions from October 28 to November 2 on climate change impacts, disaster risk reduction, and damage to agriculture, forests, biodiversity and watersheds.

During the discussions, the committee will review details of affected districts, local levels and wards, examine coordination among government agencies, and hold talks with the Ministry of Finance on economic loss assessment, relief and rehabilitation budgets, and funding for reconstruction.

Paudel said the committee had also discussed the amount collected in the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund, its status and its utilisation.

The committee is scheduled to hold discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation on issues including the deaths and rescue of foreign tourists, diplomatic coordination with neighbouring countries and international assistance.

It will also discuss rescue and relief operations with the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal (APF Nepal) and Nepal Police, focusing on manpower and resource deployment, human losses, infrastructure damage and operational challenges.

The committee is set to conduct on-site monitoring of disaster-affected areas in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading from November 3 to 7.

The National Assembly had earlier formed the special committee to study and monitor disaster-affected areas, including the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki corridors, and to submit a report to the upper house of the Federal Parliament.

The committee is expected to recommend a roadmap for the rehabilitation of disaster-affected people, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, disaster risk reduction and climate justice before presenting its report to the National Assembly.

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