Geologists’ team to be deputed to study flood and landslide-hit area in Pyuthan

Kathmandu / Aug 25: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said a team of geologists would be immediately deputed to Pyuthan for studying the flood and landslide that occurred in that district some days back and assessing the loss of lives and property due to this.

The Prime Minister said this while taking a memorandum submitted to him by an all-party delegation from Pyuthan district today. The delegation was led by CPN (UML) Acting President Bamdev Gautam.

“The flood and landslide that occurred in Pyuthan is not ordinary looking at the extent of the damage; I have looked at it seriously. I will promptly send a team comprising geologists to the affected area for collecting the factual details of the damage, providing relief and studying the resettlement issues,” PM Dahal said.

Recalling that the very first meeting of the Council of Ministers has increased the relief amount given to the families of those killed in the flood and landslide from Rs 40 thousand to Rs 100 thousand, Prime Minister Dahal said works on additional relief and rehabilitation would be carried out after the team completes its study, according to CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Krishna Dhoj Khadka, a member of the delegation.

During the meeting, UML Acting chairman Gautam stated that 53 people had died due to the flood and landslide in Pyuthan district alone and urged the Prime Minister to take it seriously.

The memorandum demands making arrangements for food and safe houses for the families displaced due to the flood and landslide, carrying out study regarding preventing landslide and new settlement by sending a team comprising geologists, repairing the road network damaged by the flood which has resulted in disruption of transport service, making arrangements for the repair of irrigation canals, putting in place provisions for reconstruction through the integrated project and providing the flood and landslide-affected people the same level of relief that is provided to the earthquake affected people.

The delegation comprised CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Rekha Sharma, Nepali Congress leader Mukti Prasad Sharma, leader of the Naya Shakti Nepal Nawaraj Subedi, vice-chairperson of the Rastriya Janamorcha Durga Poudel, CPN (Revolutionary Maoist) leader Shivaraj Pokharel, among others. RSS