We will move ahead making short and long-term plans for flood survivors: PM Deuba

Sudurpaschim: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the government would move ahead by preparing immediate and long-term plans for providing relief to the people affected by natural disasters like floods, landslides and inundations.

PM Deuba said this in a press conference organised here in Dhangadhi today after making an on-site inspection of the damage caused by flooding, inundation and river erosion following the unseasonal rains in various districts of the Sudurpaschim province on Thursday.

On the occasion, he reiterated that relief would be provided to the disaster-affected people and the short and long-term ways sought for minimizing the damage.

“The natural disaster brought by the unseasonal rain has caused losses throughout the country. This rain has caused a big loss in the Sudurpaschim province. It has also damaged the paddy crop,” he said.

Stating that an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers has already decided to provide relief to the citizens affected by flood, landslide and inundation, he said this matter would be discussed once again after returning to Kathmandu.

In response to a question, Prime Minister Deuba said the World Health Organization has lauded Nepal for its success in vaccinating its population against coronavirus infection. He added that Britain and other countries have lifted the ‘visa restriction’ to Nepali nationals as the COVID-19 has been largely contained.

Responding to another question, he said the US grant project, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), was not above Nepal’s laws but false propaganda has been spread against it.

On a question related to the Nepali Congress general convention, PM Deuba, who is also the president of the NC, said, “The party’s general convention process has already kicked off and the party president does not have any role in this process as the Election Committee will conduct the election in an impartial manner.”

The Prime Minister has returned back to Kathmandu after carrying out an on-the-spot inspection and taking stock of the damage caused by flood, landslide, inundation and river erosion due to incessant rainfall in Doti, Bajhang, Baitadi, Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur districts on Thursday.

He was accompanied by Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Prem Bahadur Ale, former ministers NP Saud, Ramesh Lekhak and Bir Bahadur Balayar, among others.

Thirty-one people have died and 23 have gone missing in the flood, landslide and inundation in Sudurpaschim province following incessant rains for three days since October 17. Similarly, 17 houses have been damaged in the disaster.

Thousands of families have been displaced due to the inundation in the Tarai districts of the province- Kailali and Kanchanpur. Large areas of rice crop have also been destroyed in the province.