Kathmandu, October 13
Disaster resilience and preparedness must begin at the household level, with a focus on risk identification, early warning and community capacity building, said Dr Dharmaraj Upreti, executive chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Speaking on the occasion of International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, Upreti said disaster management should extend beyond rescue and relief to include proactive measures to minimise risks.
“Disaster resilience must begin at the household level. If we consider disaster management solely the responsibility of the authority, local governments, provincial governments or ministries, we cannot effectively address the growing risks,” he said.
Upreti said climate change was making disaster risks in Nepal increasingly complex, with changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures increasing the threats of floods, landslides, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires. Rising temperatures in the Himalayan region have also increased the risks of avalanches, rockfalls, glacial lake outbursts and temporary river blockages.
He stressed the need for effective early warning systems, saying warnings must reach people on time and be communicated in ways they can understand and act upon. Providing warnings 24 hours in advance could reduce disaster-related losses by 35 to 40 per cent, he said.
Upreti said households should identify local hazards, prepare evacuation plans and keep essential supplies, medicines, drinking water and important documents ready. He also called for stronger coordination among federal, provincial and local governments, alongside cooperation among communities, scientists, the media and civil society.
He said disaster preparedness must address risks throughout the year, including droughts, cold waves and extreme heat, rather than focusing only on monsoon-related floods and landslides.
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