Kathmandu, May 19, 2025
In a significant meeting chaired by the Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Engineer Dinesh Bhatta, representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), including Bhaskar Shrestha, and BGC Engineering gathered to discuss disaster risk financing and management strategies. The session focused on reviewing past incidents, assessing current vulnerabilities, and planning future actions.
The meeting revisited the catastrophic debris flood that struck Thame Bazaar in Solukhumbu’s Khumbu Pasanglhamu Rural Municipality-5 on the 32nd of Shrawan. The flood had caused severe damage to local infrastructure and prompted urgent rehabilitation efforts. Similarly, attention was drawn to the recent flood in the Sukhang Lugwa River near Tilagaun in Namkha Rural Municipality-6, Humla, which occurred on the 1st of Jestha. The incident led to significant damage, including the destruction of a small hydropower station, a water mill, a wooden bridge connecting Tila and Halji villages, a drinking water tank, and an irrigation canal.
ADB and BGC Engineering emphasized the need for proactive measures to safeguard vulnerable settlements. They recommended the relocation of at-risk communities, particularly in Thame, to minimize future disaster impacts. Furthermore, ADB expressed a keen interest in exploring ways to assist in recovery and rehabilitation efforts in Humla, aiming to restore essential services and infrastructure.
Engineer Dinesh Bhatta highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration in disaster management and urged all stakeholders to sustain cooperative efforts to address such challenges effectively.
These discussions underscore the critical need for coordinated efforts in disaster preparedness, mitigation, and rehabilitation to protect communities in disaster-prone regions. As the impacts of climate change become increasingly evident, such proactive measures are essential to build resilience and ensure sustainable development.
This news serves as a reminder of the importance of collective action in tackling environmental challenges and safeguarding lives and livelihoods in Nepal’s remote and vulnerable regions.
