Jhapa on high alert following forecast of heavy rainfall and flood risk

JHAPA, June 30: The District Administration Office (DAO), Jhapa district has urged public to remain on high as heavy rainfall is imminent

The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall in various parts of the country, including eastern part of the country on June 30 and July 1 as monsoon.

The DAO, Jhapa, issuing a public notice on Monday, warned of possible floods and inundation due to intensified monsoon activity accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning.

People living along riverbanks and in low-lying areas have been advised to stay alert and observe precautionary measures.

The local administration has further cautioned the public not to travel through river channels and streams prone to flash floods.

The public are also suggested to avoid crossing swollen rivulets and collect information in advance about safe locations to shelter in the time of disasters.

Areas adjacent to major rivers in the district such as Kankai, Biring, Ratuwa, Mechi, Mawa and Ninda are considered vulnerable to flood and inundation especially during monsoon.

Among the 15 local levels within Jhapa, Gaurigunj rural municipality, Kachankawal rural municipality, Bahradashi rural municipality, Jhapa rural municipality, Kamal rural municipality, Shivasatakshi municipality and Bhadrapur municipality that are in the southern part of the district are regarded as high-risk areas for flood and inundation.

Lokraj Dhakal, President of the Nepal Red Cross Society, Jhapa, said that as per the Red Cross Society's estimate, more than 8,000 households are at very high risk of flood in the district

Dhakal shared that 120 volunteers from Red Cross Society, Jhapa along with first-aid provider team as well as search and rescue equipment are in ready position for disaster response.

Chief District Officer (CDO) of Jhapa, Shivaram Gelal, informed that to minimize possible loss of lives and properties in the monsoon-induced disasters, the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal Red Cross Society and local authorities have been placed on standby with relief supplies including food stocked in seven places across the district.

CDO Gelal stated that the District Disaster Management Committee has already prepared an integrated disaster response plan and prioritized flood preparedness.

He added that authorities were coordinating efforts with security agencies, the Red Cross Society and local governments.

Meanwhile, a special disaster response training programme has been recently organized by the Koshi Province's Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Armed Police Force to train 20 municipal police personnel from five municipalities to strengthen community-level disaster management and rescue capacity, according to the DAO, Jhapa.