Jajarkot Earthquake: Provincial government to build government and public structures

Kathmandu / Nov 25: The provincial government has taken responsibility for rebuilding government and public structures damaged by the Jajarkot earthquake, according to Minister of Economic Affairs and Planning Bedraj Singh.

Minister Singh stated that ongoing discussions are focused on the damage incurred by government offices, schools, police stations, as well as water supply and irrigation projects, with an action plan in place for reconstruction by the state government.

The earthquake, most devastating in Jajarkot and Rukum Paschim, inflicted damage on 54 police offices in Karnali. Deputy Inspector General of Police Bhim Prasad Dhakal reported that the destruction ranged from the district police office to temporary police stations.

Chief Dhakal specified that 33 police buildings in Jajarkot, 12 in Rukum Paschim, three in Salyan, four in Jumla, and two in Kalikot were damaged. Notably, four buildings at the Jajarkot district police office were completely destroyed. Furthermore, Dhakal disclosed that 12 local police offices, 10 police stations, seven temporary police posts, and one district traffic office suffered significant damage.

In Rukum Paschim, a total of 12 structures were destroyed, including one district police office, two area police offices, four police stations, and five temporary police posts. Salyan experienced the loss of three local police offices.

Jumla reported the destruction of four buildings, comprising one District Police Office, one Area Police Office, and two police stations. Meanwhile, Kalikot recorded the destruction of two buildings, namely one District Police Office and one Police Station.

Over 300 schools were damaged throughout Karnali. Yagyaswar Khatri, Head of the Social Development Office in Jajarkot, stated that specific statistics on the condition of technical schools under the union and state governments would be available in about a week.

Health institution statistics remain unreliable, with discrepancies between data compiled by local levels and the provincial government. The Ministry of Social Development of Karnali Province is yet to obtain accurate information. The extent of damage to water supply and irrigation systems is also uncertain.

In response to the crisis, the provincial government has contributed Rs 100 million to the disaster management fund and allocated Rs one billion for reconstruction.