Kathmandu, Dec 20:  Around Rs 2 million has been allocated for the Tertai-Madhes area to mitigate the impact of the cold waves. 

Nepal is at multiple risk of natural disasters. The 12 types of natural disasters such as flood, lightning, windstorm, hailstorm, landslide, cold wave, wildfire, and glaciers, has been causing disaster in the country.   

Similarly,  every year devastating disaster in the form of a cold wave knocks on the door of the Terai region.  With the surging cold, the government is preparing to put a stop to the human suffering and difficulties that people in the Terai-Madhes area go through because of cold waves. 

For that, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has already disbursed Rs 2.5 million for the cause. 

Dhurba Bahadur Khadka, Spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, said that Rs 2.5 million have been distributed to manage the impact of the cold waves in the Tearei belts of the country. Every year life in Terai gets difficult owing to the cold waves. 

He said, “To comfort the difficult lives of residents of Terai-Madhes imposed by cold waves, Rs 2.5 million have been sent like previous year, to distribute warm clothes, blankets  and comforters to the affected.”

Khadka said, “The local government itself is responsible for implementing the allocated Rs 2.5 million to meet the needs of the affected people following the formation of the Local Government Operation Act, 2074. NDRRMA is responsible for the allocation of the budget and to provide directives.” 

Uttam Prasad Pokharel, Undersecretary of the Minister of Home Affairs, Communication and Law, of Madhes Province said that the necessary action has been taken forward in the cold wave-affected area.  

He said, “There are eight districts in the Madhes Province, Siraha, Saptari, Sarlahi, Bara, Parsa, Dhanusha, Mahottari, and Rautahat and we have started buying  woods (for warming), blankets and comforters to lessen the effect of cold wave .”

Undersecretary Pokharel, said, “Cold is surging. The cold wave will start soon, therefore, the provincial government has started to buy wood and comforters and blankets.” 

According to him, Children, aged people, sick and in frail health are put in priority as they are at high risk.