Disaster risk reduction conference stresses law reform and preparedness

The fifth national conference on disaster risk reduction has begun in Lalitpur to mark International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In the opening session, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobita Gautam said laws and policies would be reformed with disaster at the center.

She said infrastructure suited to the geography and designed to be safe would be built.

She said that while disasters are natural processes, the extent of damage depends on human decisions, laws, policies and infrastructure.

Minister Gautam noted that the recent Rasuwa flood has made it necessary to take experts' warnings seriously.

ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho stressed preparedness, timely information flow and safe infrastructure to reduce risk in mountainous areas.

He said the Rasuwa-Kerung flood on Bhadra 10 and Sunday's Budhigandaki flood showed how little time it takes for a normal day to turn into a disaster.

Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Birajbhakta Shrestha launched the "Disaster Resilience Starts at Home" campaign on Tuesday.

He said disaster-related policy must be based on scientific facts, data and research.

He said a system is needed that does not depend on individuals but acts on its own.

He said visual-based monitoring alone is not sufficient, so artificial intelligence could be used for risk identification.