Gandaki. With the forecast of heavy to very heavy rainfall in various parts of the country including Kaski, high alertness has been adopted in Kaski to minimize the damage caused by possible disaster-related incidents.

A meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee held on Thursday took several decisions related to transport service, educational institutions and tourism activities in view of the risk of floods and landslides, Assistant Chief District Officer Chitrangat Baral said.

According to him, it has been decided to ban the operation of night service vehicles from Kaski to other districts from Thursday to Sunday. Assistant CDO Baral said that the rural areas of the district have been requested not to ply vehicles from 4 pm.

Trekking to tourist places in Kaski has also been banned. It has been decided to inform the concerned tourism organizations to return to a safe place.

Assistant CDO Baral said that hospitals, Red Cross and other organisations have been asked to remain on standby for rescue and relief in case of possible disasters.

It has been requested to fully follow the safety norms while carrying out activities related to water tourism in Fewa Lake, Begnas Lake and other lakes. Activities related to water tourism will be banned if the weather is unfavorable.

The District Administration Office has urged the general public not to go to the banks of rivers and streams during the period when there is a possibility of heavy rains, not to travel long distances except in emergency cases and to immediately inform the local level and local administration in case of disaster-related incidents. The local levels have been asked to immediately disseminate information to the settlements at risk of rivers and landslides, to make preparations for relocation to safer places if necessary and to close the schools as per the situation.

The District Disaster Committee has urged hospitals and health institutions to keep ambulances, doctors and health workers on standby in view of possible disaster.

Helicopter service providers have also been asked to be on standby for immediate rescue in case of disaster. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has stated that heavy to very heavy rainfall may occur in various districts of Gandaki Province including Kaski from Thursday to Sunday.