Govt to expedite reconstruction, rehabilitation, suspend search

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Oct. 5: The government has decided to suspend, for the time being, search and rescue operations following the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods, except for essential operations.

The 21st meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, chaired by Prime Minister Balendra Shah at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers on Monday, decided to direct the concerned agencies to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation alongside essential search operations.

The decision was taken based on recommendations from the District Security Committees, District Disaster Management Committees, the Executive Committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, as well as findings from field inspections.

The meeting also decided to recommend to the Ministry of Finance the approval of a budget of Rs. 559.17 billion for 504 plans and programmes submitted by various ministries and agencies for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected areas.