KATHMANDU: Home Minister Sudan Gurung said on Thursday that all preparations for monsoon response and disaster management have been completed, with security agencies deployed in high-risk areas and helicopters on standby for emergency rescue operations.

Speaking after a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority at Singha Durbar, Gurung said agencies have been directed to strengthen preparedness, ensure rapid response, and immediately reopen roads blocked by floods or landslides.

He also announced that helicopters would be used only for rescue and security operations, ruling out unnecessary aerial inspections by ministers.

The authority estimates that 51,868 households and 226,661 people could be affected by monsoon-related disasters this year. Officials said preparedness plans have been adjusted for forecasts of below-average rainfall but intense localized downpours.