Lumbini Province CM Appeals for High Alert Amidst Forecast of Heavy Rainfall, Thunderstorms, and Winds

Butwal. Following the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms and winds in Lumbini Province from Asauj 9 to 11, Chief Minister Chetnarayan Acharya has appealed to the province residents to exercise high alertness. Chief Minister Acharya, in an appeal issued on Wednesday, stated that potential heavy rainfall could increase the risk of floods, landslides, soil erosion, debris flow, and inundation in Tarai and urban areas. He urged for special caution in risk-prone areas as river and stream water levels may rise, and roads and transportation could also be affected. Chief Minister Acharya urged citizens residing in areas near rivers and streams, settlements prone to landslides, and other risk-prone areas to follow the information and directives of the local administration and concerned bodies. He also requested farmers, as it is the time to harvest paddy, to prepare accordingly based on the weather conditions and advice from agricultural experts. His request is to avoid working in fields and farms at the risk of the weather and to manage crops in a safe place if possible. Keeping in mind the potential disaster, the Chief Minister informed that the provincial government, local levels, security agencies, and concerned stakeholders have been instructed to be in a state of readiness for preparedness, rescue, and relief management. He urged the province residents to avoid traveling to risk-prone areas except for essential work during heavy rainfall, to stay away from rivers and streams, and not to travel on roads affected by floods and inundation. Chief Minister Acharya also requested those involved in tourism, construction, and other risk-prone activities to take necessary precautions and to regularly obtain official weather information. Emphasizing that along with the government's preparation, citizen alertness and cooperation are also important to minimize loss of life and property from potential disasters, he appealed to individuals, families, and communities at risk to take timely preparations, stay safe, and help each other.