KATHMANDU: The first meeting of the Monsoon Response Command Post has decided to direct all relevant bodies to effectively implement the ‘Monsoon Preparedness and Response National Action Plan, 2026’ and to report to the Authority monthly in accordance with the action plan.

The meeting held today under the chairmanship of Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, has decided to request the Ministry of Home Affairs to direct all 77 District Security Committees to prohibit vehicle operations in potentially vulnerable areas, streams, rivers and national highways and local road networks.

Similarly, the meeting has decided to request the Department of Roads, all seven provinces and all 753 local governments to keep the necessary heavy equipment and divers on standby 24 hours a day to immediately operate the blocked highways/roads, to keep the minimum equipment used in search, rescue and relief in readiness, and to make arrangements to ensure that there is no shortage of food for at least 15 days in the event that the road is blocked and vehicles cannot ply, and to request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take diplomatic initiatives to receive timely advance notice of international disasters.

The meeting has also decided to request the Department to make arrangements to operate the Weather and Flood Forecasting Division of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology 24 hours a day throughout the monsoon period, to request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to request the Drone Association, Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies, etc. to collaborate with the private sector, associations, organizations, civil society, etc. to prevent shortage of search and rescue equipment.