 |
||
|
||
| FORUM |
|
||
|
||
| FORUM |
Disaster Management System in Nepal By LEKH NATH POKHAREL Nepal is exposed to
several types of natural disasters, such as landslides, earthquakes, floods, fires,
droughts, epidemics, thunderbolts, hailstorms and cold wave. Before the introduction of
Natural Disaster Relief Act, 1982 A.D., there was no well-structured legal provision
regarding disaster management in Nepal. The relief and rescue works were carried out
as social works on ad hoc basis. Realizing the need of legal framework, the government
formulated the Natural Disaster Relief Act, 1982 According to the act there are provisions
for Central, Regional, Districts and Local Natural Disaster Relief Committees. Hazard map and
disaster data play an important role to predict and foresee the possible trends of likely
disasters. So, hazard map and reliable data is the need of the day. Nepal has data
collection network in all the 75 districts as well as grassroots level (i.e., VDCs).
Moreover, several governmental as well as non-governmental International agencies have
been providing support for disaster victims from time to time. Despite all these
provisions and assistance, there are many challenges for an effective disaster management
system - such as system of hazard mapping, vulnerability assessment, risks analysis, low
level of public awareness, lack of cooperation and coordination, poor system of data
collection and dissemination, remote and inaccessible topography. Causes of
Disaster and its Scenario Complex geology, very
high angle of slopes, rugged and fragile geophysical structure, variable climatic
conditions, active tectonic processes, unplanned settlement, dense and increasing
population, poor economic condition and low literacy rate have made Nepal vulnerable to
various types of natural disasters. Most part of the country is seismically active. Hence,
the geomorphology is very fragile. The constant tectonic action of different degrees along
with varied intensity of weather condition has adverse effect on stability of earth
surface and river course. The Himalayan region of Nepal can be considered as one of the
severest flood hazard zones of the world. Besides, heavy precipitation, high wetness and
steepness of watersheds and river channels contribute to flood magnitudes. Mainly, the
middle hills are prone to landslides and the Tarai to flood and fire. Thus, flood,
landslide and fire are the most frequent natural disasters in Nepal. These disasters occur
almost every year in one part of the country or the other causing loss of life and heavy
damage to physical properties. It is a great
challenge to the nation to protect infrastructure and property from frequent landslide and
floods. Each year flood, landslide, fire, epidemic, avalanche and various other natural
and man made disasters cause the casualty of thousands of human lives and destruction of
physical properties worth billions of rupees. The earthquake of 1934 A.D., 1980 A.D. 1988
A.D. and the flood of July 1993, landslides of August 2002 and the flood of July 2003 were
the most devastating natural disasters, which not only caused heavy losses of human lives
and physical properties but also adversely affected the development process of the country
as a whole. In this way, the country has been found to be a disaster prone country.
Immediate rescue and relief works as well as disaster preparedness mitigation activities
are governed by the Natural Disaster Relief Act 1982 of His Majesty’s Government of
Nepal. Potentiality
of Natural Hazards in the Country Although small in
size, Nepal is exposed to several types of natural as well as man-induced hazards. A wide
variety of physiographical, geological, ecological, meteorological factors and demographic
factors such as rapid population growth, also make the country extremely prone to
disasters. Cooperation
and Coordination from stakeholders Being a developing
country, Nepal lacks sufficient resources to provide adequate assistance to the natural
disaster victims. Mainly, reconstruction and rehabilitation programs have had to suffer
due to such resource constraints. Despite very limited funds and resources Nepal has been
trying to cope with the natural disasters to its utmost capacity. Moreover, several
governmental as well as non-governmental international agencies such as the Government of
Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), International Center For Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD), United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
Lutheran World Service (LWS), Technical Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Germany
(GTZ), OXFAM, Cooperation for American Relief Everywhere (CARE), United Mission to Nepal
(UMN), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Save the Children Fund (SCF) Caritas,
Redd Barna and so on have been providing cash, kind and technical assistance for the
victims from time to time. Various other international governmental as well as
non-governmental agencies are also channeling the resources through local NGOs also. Conclusion In view of the
physiographical situation and resource constraints of the country it is very difficult to
cope with natural disasters in Nepal. Disaster management is a difficult task. Disaster
happens all of a sudden. Thus, the suddenness of a disaster and its destruction,
especially during a very serious natural disaster, it becomes very difficult to cope with
a normal administrative set up and limited funds and resources. Improvement of physical
infrastructure, poverty alleviation, literacy campaign, public awareness raising programs
and capacity building are very necessary. Moreover, the system of hazard mapping,
vulnerability assessment, risk analysis, scientific detection system to monitor changes in
the physical environment, effective early warning system, reliable data collection and
dissemination are also needed. Despite very limited funds and resources Nepal is managing
the natural disaster in all respects. Of course, there are a number of problems in
disaster management and enough room for the improvement.
(Mr. Pokharel is a senior official at the Home Ministry)
|
|| Cover Story || Local Bodies || Politics || Indian Election || Interview || Suspension Of Support || Entertainment || Education || || Intellectulas || Book Review || Editor's Note || The Bottom Line || News Notes || Briefs || Quote Unquote || Off The Record || Letters || Opinion || Forum || Human Rights || |
Send your feedback to the
editor: spot@mail.com.np |
