Kathmandu. Bagmati Province government has handed over rescue equipment worth Rs 24.7 million to Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force to strengthen disaster preparedness.

Chief Minister Indra Bahadur Baniya handed over Rs 7.562 million to the Nepal Army, Rs 5.466 million 488 to the Nepal Police and Rs 11.6 million 83 thousand 522 to the Armed Police Force amidst a programme organized at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers. The medical supplies handed over included advanced drones and equipment required for flood relief.

Prior to this, Chief Minister Baniya had held discussion with officials of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force on preparedness for rain-induced and other disasters, management of relief materials and high alertness of security mechanisms.

On the occasion, he said the State government has accorded top priority to disaster preparedness bearing in mind the risk of flood, landslide, inundation and road obstruction with the onset of monsoon. Chief Minister Baniya stressed the need of making the disaster forecast, management of relief materials, coordination and strengthening of information system and strengthening rescue mechanism based on the experience gained from the past disasters.

Stating that the study of possible flood, landslide and inundation affected areas was underway in the state, he stressed the need of effective coordination among the federal, state and local governments for disaster management. He added that information exchange would be systematized among the rural municipalities and municipalities of the state.

The Bagmati state government has said relief materials and equipment have been stored at Thanavryang of Nuwakot and Hetauda Sub-Metropolitan City for disaster management.