Kathmandu. The government has decided to declare Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading disaster-hit zones for three months. The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on August 26 took 10 different decisions giving priority to rescue, relief and reconstruction in the areas affected by the massive floods in the Bhotekoshi River.

The meeting expressed sorrow over the loss of life and property due to floods in Rasuwagadhi and lower coastal areas of Rasuwa and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. Wishing for speedy recovery of the injured, the Ministry of Health and Food Hygiene, the Nepal Army and the government hospitals have been given the responsibility to make arrangements for free treatment to the injured.

The Ministry of Home Affairs and Defence have been directed to immediately rescue the injured and displaced people and shift them to safer places. Nepal Army and private helicopters will be mobilised for the rescue operation.

The government has also decided to keep those who have lost their homes and homes in safe places and make arrangements for food and accommodation. Likewise, the Ministry of Infrastructure Development has been given the responsibility to resume disrupted roads and manage drinking water at the earliest.

The meeting also directed the Ministry of Information and Communications to immediately resume the power supply disrupted due to floods and the Nepal Electricity Authority and the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.

The meeting also decided to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of those killed in the floods as per the prevailing laws. The Finance Minister has been given the responsibility of coordinating for the mobilization of financial resources required for the operation and reconstruction of damaged public structures and physical infrastructures.

The government has decided to declare the local levels of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts as disaster-hit zones for three months as per the Clause 32 of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2074.