June 19: Parliamentarians have drawn the attention of the government towards the urgency for making early preparedness regarding the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) more effective as monsoon has already started in the country and thus monsoon-induced disasters are more likely.    
It may be noted that monsoon entered Nepal on June 14 this year and has spread to eastern and central parts of the country as of now. Monsoon-induced disasters are occurring in various areas in the eastern parts of the country, causing the losses of lives and property.    
Airing their voices in the Zero Hour of the House of Representatives (HoR) meeting on Monday, the parliamentarians called for identifying vulnerable settlements and relocating the habitants to safer places before the disaster strikes.    
They urged the government to devise and execute effective action-plan for minimizing the damages from the disasters as well as to step up disaster operation such as search and rescue, relief distribution, resettlement and rehabilitation among others.    
Rajendra KC viewed that the government should roll out action-plan for search and rescue, relief distribution and reconstruction of the infrastructures damaged in the disasters.    
Similarly, Bhanubhakta Joshi said that Bajhang district, a hill district in the Sudurpaschim Province, was prone to natural disasters and thus demanded relocation of locals residing in such zones.    
Man Bahadur Gurung appealed to the government to routinely monitor the watershed area of Madi and Seti River in Kaski district as well as the glacier lake and make early warning system more effective.    
"Monsoon has already started. Disasters happen unexpectedly. Major disasters took place in the eastern area including Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha last night. There are probability for such disaster to take place in the days to come. The government should pay its attention to it," he said.    
Manish Jha stressed the need for relocating settlements vulnerable to disasters to safety stating that fear has taken over the people of the mountain districts. He also drew the attention of the government to make preparedness for disasters more effective.    
Similarly, Manbir Rai demanded that the government inform the parliament about the disasters in the eastern districts. He also asked the government to provide reliefs to the affected people at the earliest.    
Bimala Subedi drew the attention of the government to the residents of Bancharedanda facing various health problems due to the landfill site where waste is being duped in violation of set standards.    
Mahesh Kumar Bartaula urged the government to provide equal access to health services for all people.    
Metmani Chaudhary demanded the government ensure a reliable market for farmers' produce and take initiations to address their pressing issues while Menaka Kumari Pokhrel and Sunita Baral expressed concern over the government decision to withdraw a case concerning the physical assault against TU teacher Prem Chalaune.    
Maina Karki drew the government attention towards the prompt need of implementing measures to reduce road accidents while Mangal Prasad Gupta urged the government to promptly address issues of sugarcane farmers.    
Raghuji Pant demanded the government prevent possible physical assaults and abuses against University faculty members by students unions themselves. "Cases of physical assaults and abuses against University teachers and office-bearers are rising," he said.    
Meena Tamang, Mukta Kumari Yadav, Manju Sharma Ansari, Ranedra Baraili, Ranju Kumari Jha, Ram Kumar Yadav, Rupa Shoshi Chaudhary, Roshan Karki, Rekha Yadav, Lal Prasad Sawa Limbu and Leelanath Shrestha were among those drawing the government's attention towards various contemporary issues in the House session. -- RSS