KATHMANDU: To make services related to disaster incidents, grievances, information, and rescue operations faster, easier, and more effective, the Ministry of Home Affairs has expanded the disaster hotline number 1234 to the district level.

According to a press release issued by the Ministry, the previous disaster toll-free number 1149, which was operated only from the central level, has been transformed and put into operation as number 1234.

Under the new arrangement, calls made to 1234 from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts within the Kathmandu Valley will be directed to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) in Singha Durbar.

Meanwhile, calls made from the remaining 74 districts have been set up to automatically route to the respective District Emergency Operation Center (DEOC).

According to the Ministry, citizens can now directly contact the emergency center in their own district to report disaster information, problems, grievances, and suggestions, which is expected to make rescue coordination and service delivery even more effective.

The Cabinet meeting held on March 27, 2026, had adopted a policy to make citizen services result-oriented, accountable, and effective by implementing result-based governance arrangements in line with the administrative reform agenda.

In accordance with this policy, the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that arrangements have been implemented to operate the emergency operation centers in all 77 districts 24 hours a day.

The Ministry has urged citizens to follow official information and early warnings issued by the Government of Nepal during disasters, and to contact the number 1234 if necessary.