Flood-hit local units in Gorkha, Dhading and Baglung declared disaster crisis zones for three months

The government has declared local units in Gorkha, Dhading and Baglung that suffered severe damage from floods and landslides as disaster crisis zones for three months.

The decision was made by the Cabinet meeting held today at Singha Durbar under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Balendra Shah.

Chumnubri, Dharche and Aarughat rural municipalities in Gorkha, which were badly affected by flooding in the Budhigandaki River, are among the areas included in the declaration. Wards 1 and 2 of Tripurasundari Rural Municipality in Dhading are also on the list.

Galkot and Dhorpatan municipalities in Baglung, affected by floods and landslides following rainfall from Asoj 8 to 11, have also been added to the crisis zone. In total, six local units across three districts fall under this declaration.

According to Minister for Communication and Information Technology Dr. Bikram Timalsina, the declaration will remove procedural obstacles in rescue, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction work in the affected areas. Minister Timalsina said this would make it easier to speed up that work.

The government has also decided to provide monthly relief payments to families whose homes were damaged in the declared areas and who wish to live in temporary arrangements outside holding centers on their own. Such families will receive this support for up to six months, until alternative housing is arranged.

The same meeting also gave in-principle approval to draft a Budhigandaki Development Authority bill.