Parliamentary Committee Urges Government Action on Flood Relief and Reconstruction

Kathmandu. Lawmakers on Tuesday, during a meeting of the parliamentary special committee to discuss the effects of climate change and the damage caused by floods and landslides in the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli region, pressured the government for immediate relief, reconstruction, and policy reforms. They emphasized the need for the immediate construction of Bailey bridges to facilitate movement in disaster-affected areas and to arrange temporary housing before the festivals. The lawmakers expressed their views and drew the government's attention during the meeting of the special committee on ‘Climate Change Impact, Climate Justice, and Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Disaster’ held at Singha Durbar.

Achyutam Lamichhane, a Member of Parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, demanded that the government construct at least three Bailey bridges or permanent bridges to ease transportation in the disaster-affected areas of Nuwakot and Rasuwa. He stated that bridge construction should be a top priority, considering the difficulties faced by students and locals in crossing the river. He added that farmers are facing further hardship due to the damage to irrigation canals and drinking water sources caused by the disaster and that immediate repairs are necessary. He stressed that the government should expedite the process through the House Construction Act to address the complexities of relief distribution. He also mentioned that relief for disasters should recognize siblings living together in the same house or married children as separate families, and that tax exemptions and concessional loans should be provided to entrepreneurs who lost their vehicles in the disaster. Lamichhane said during the meeting, “The main demand of the locals is the immediate construction of at least three Bailey bridges that can accommodate vehicles to cross the river. It is necessary to arrange for married siblings living in the same house to be considered beneficiaries as separate families.”