Nepal government allocates Rs 468 mn for disaster response

Kathmandu, July 27 (IANS) The Nepal government on Wednesday decided to allocate 750 million Nepalese rupees (approx. Rs 468.73 mn) to address the current havoc created by floods and landslides across the country.

The meeting of the Home Ministry officials held at the National Emergency Operation Centre decided the budget for immediate rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the victims, Xinhua news agency reported.

The amount will be distributed from the Central Disaster Relief Committee of the Home Ministry to the affected district administrative offices.

Earlier, the committee asked the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund to extend financial support to meet the crisis situation.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal said that the government will act immediately to rescue the victims from hard-hit areas, relocating the risky settlements and provide necessary relief materials.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday about the latest update, the Home Ministry announced that 28 persons have lost their lives since Monday. However, according to local media on Wednesday, the toll has risen to over 50.

Thousands have been displaced, hundreds of houses have been waterlogged or swept away, especially in mid-western and eastern regions of the country.