June 21: A total of 10 individuals have lost their lives due to natural disasters across the country since the beginning of this year's monsoon.    
Responding to the concerns raised by lawmakers in a meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs, Narayan Kaji Shrestha presented this figure. Likewise, six people have been injured and 26 have gone missing while 54 houses have been completely damaged. Further details of the losses are awaited, said DPM Shrestha.    
Monsoon that entered Nepal on June 14 has affected the eastern parts of Nepal. "Sankhuwasabha, Panchthar and Tapeljung have suffered the most," the minister informed the house.    
Expressing his sorrow over the loss of lives and property to the disasters, he wished for quick health recovery of the injured and also promised to intensify the search operation for the missing.    
DPM and Home Minister Shrestha said that the District Security Committee, District Management Committee, Local Disaster Management Committee, local representatives, political parties, civil society, local community and media in the respective districts are working collaboratively for the rescue and relief efforts and for the search of the missing.    
 Hewa and Piluwa rivers in Chainpur municipality of Sankhuwasabha have posed a constant threat to nearby settlements due to incessant monsoon rains.    
“The flood has significantly damaged the under-construction Super Hewa Hydropower Project based in Dhobhane of Chainpur-4, resulting in the missing of 21 individuals: 18 hydropower workers and three others. Likewise, three people were rescued alive and they are under medical treatment. The body of one was retrieved from the site," said Shrestha.    
According to the minister, floods swept away seven houses in Chainpur, putting 11 houses at high risk of possible disaster. Likewise, it has completely damaged two motorable bridges and two suspension bridges along the Hewa River with causing partial damages to one cemented bridge.

As per the Disaster Survivor Rescue and Relief Criteria, 2077 BS, the government is preparing to hand over Rs 200,000 to the families of those killed in the disaster and an additional Rs 100,000 for the death of more than one member of the same family.

The affected family shall get Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 as an immediate relief. -- RSS