The Department of Agriculture has urged caution to minimize potential damage to crops and stored grains due to the possibility of heavy rain accompanied by strong winds. The department has advised farmers to be vigilant in protecting rice and other crops due to changes in weather and continuous rainfall.
Farmers have been informed to harvest rice only after it has matured for a few more days, to store harvested rice in well-ventilated areas, and to ensure proper drainage in rice fields. The department’s Director General, Prakash Kumar Sanjel, has requested regular monitoring of stored food items.
In high hill areas, farmers are advised to immediately harvest maize and store it in sheltered, well-ventilated places. The Agriculture Communication and Human Resource Development Center has communicated messages to secure roofs of sheds and pens against strong winds and to relocate livestock to higher and safer locations.
To reduce damage to crops and produce, the center will disseminate necessary information and messages based on bulletins published by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology’s Weather Forecast Division, according to Officer Sanjiv Pandit.
In Kanchanpur, a pre-awareness campaign has been launched in the coastal settlements along the Mahakali River following forecasts of heavy rain. Deputy Mayor Nilam Lekhak Joshi of Bhimdutta Municipality reported that municipal police are using loudspeakers to raise awareness in the riverine areas. She mentioned that awareness campaigns are being conducted in settlements to mitigate potential damage from floods and inundation, and private and institutional schools in Bhimdutta Municipality have been given holidays.
The District Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee, in a meeting held on Thursday, has prepared to take necessary steps focusing on rescue, relief, and citizen safety during disasters. Kanchanpur’s Chief District Officer Madan Koirala stated that security mechanisms and necessary preparations have been made in all municipalities for disaster response. He mentioned ongoing loudspeaker announcements by municipalities, wards, and police administration, urging caution due to potential flooding in areas like Khalla Maseti, Mahakali River banks, and Doda River.
He further informed that a notice has been issued requesting high alertness on Thursday, advising against travel during heavy rain, and urging special caution in riverbanks and coastal areas like Mahakali, Jogbudha, Machheli, and Doda, which may face inundation.
Similarly, the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police in Kanchanpur have made necessary preparations to mitigate potential damage during disasters.
In Jhapa, with the possibility of heavy rain, the Armed Police Force has intensified pre-information, monitoring, and rescue preparations in settlements along rivers and streams. Following the weather forecast indicating heavy rain until Ashwin 11, the Armed Police Force has started awareness loudspeaker announcements in villages around the Mechi, Kankai, Ratuwa, and Biring rivers.
The loudspeaker announcements, which began on Thursday, will continue in the coming days, according to the Armed Police Force Nepal No. 2 Battalion Headquarters in Jhapa. Information Officer Jogendra KC stated that priority is given to regular monitoring of rivers and streams, identifying risk-prone areas, and patrolling, considering the potential risk of floods and inundation.
Special monitoring will be conducted in areas like bridges, embankments, weak riverbanks, and settlements near rivers and streams that may face inundation. Arrangements have been made to regularly observe water levels and flow conditions and to exchange information with relevant units if risks are detected.
The District Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee has reported that rescue teams and necessary equipment are kept ready to minimize damage from potential disasters. Chief District Officer and Committee Coordinator Shravan Kumar Pokharel stated that local levels, security agencies, and related bodies have been instructed to remain prepared, considering potential disaster situations.
In Dang, the Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City has alerted citizens in the Babai River coastal area. The acting Mayor Madhav Wali’s team has urged necessary caution, anticipating increased river flow due to continuous rain. The Municipal Disaster Management Committee has decided to operate the municipal-level emergency operation center actively 24 hours a day. The emergency center is kept ready with manpower, hotlines, internet, and communication tools for information collection, coordination, and immediate assistance during disasters.
An integrated municipal rapid response team has been formed, including security agencies, municipal police, health workers, paramedics, Red Cross volunteers, heavy equipment operators, ambulance drivers, scouts, and representatives of local youth clubs, to make search and rescue operations more effective.
The pre-information system will be made effective in high-risk river and stream areas, and pre-information will be disseminated through mobile SMS, social media, and loudspeakers. Public spaces, schools, and community buildings will be prepared as temporary shelters with minimum facilities for relocating affected citizens. Tarpaulins, blankets, mats, food, and rescue equipment will be purchased and stored, and budget will be mobilized from the municipal disaster management fund.
In Baglung, 140 houses in the coastal area of the Kaligandaki River are found to be at high risk of floods and landslides. The District Administration Office Baglung has urged caution as houses and businesses in the riverbank areas of Jaimini and Baglung municipalities are at high risk of floods and landslides.
A request for high alertness has been made to 111 houses and businesses in Baglung Municipality and 29 families in Jaimini Municipality. Areas like Nirayghat, Majhi settlement, Maldhunga, Dhodeni, Dablyang, Kalakhola, Bhatkhola, Tawe, Naya Pul, Dewalbagar, and Bor in Baglung Municipality are at high risk.
The administration has requested the public to exercise caution as river and stream water levels may rise due to rain, increasing the risk of sudden floods, landslides, inundation, and erosion along riverbanks.
Baglung’s Chief District Officer Krishna Prasad Acharya stated that 290 people from 29 families in Jaimini Municipality’s Jaiminighat, Belbagar, and Bajakhet are at risk. The Department of Meteorology’s Weather Forecast Division has predicted heavy to very heavy rain in some places in Gandaki Province until Ashwin 11.
Baglung Municipality’s Chief Basanta Kumar Shrestha has urged residents to stay in safe places to avoid floods, landslides, lightning, and strong winds. He mentioned that schools in Baglung Municipality will be closed today and urged everyone to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Source - https://english.deshsanchar.com
