KATHMANDU:- At least 34 people lost their lives, and 139 were injured in the incidents of different types of natural disasters across the country in the last 15 days.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, 616 different types of natural disaster incidents occurred in the country from April 14-29. Of them, 34 people died and 139 sustained injuries in such incidents.
A total of 829 families were affected during the period. Two hundred and fifty houses suffered partial damage, and 65 houses were completely damaged due to the disaster, added the Authority.
Similarly, 78 cowsheds were also damaged, while 213 cattle died due to disaster incidents. It is estimated that these incidents caused financial losses of around Rs 109.255 million.
The highest number of fire incidents (267) took place during the period where eight people lost their lives and a huge amount of property was gutted. Around Rs 97.5 million was destroyed in fire incidents.
Likewise, 74 incidents of lightning took place, where nine people died and 49 sustained injuries. Three hundred and nineteen families were affected by 44 incidents of storms, destroying the property worth Rs 8.3 million, according to the Authority.
Other incidents that occurred during the period were snakebite, wildfire, heavy rain, flood, and animal attack. Authority Spokesperson Shanti Mahat mentioned dry weather, mercury rise and human negligence have been increasing the incidents of fire and wildfire in the recent period.
Preparedness, public awareness and effective management are needed for disaster risk reduction, opined Mahat.