Disaster Management in Nepal: The Need for a Systematic and Coordinated Approach
The recent three days of continuous rainfall across Nepal, particularly in the capital, exposed severe vulnerabilities in disaster management. Despite the capital city’s resources, it faced extensive damage, loss of life, and displacement, with many missing due to flooding. The situation mirrored past disasters, including the Gorkha earthquake, highlighting Nepal’s chronic lack of preparedness for natural calamities. This recurring pattern signals an urgent need for comprehensive disaster management planning. Nepal’s governance, marked by political instability, has consistently prioritized political agendas over national issues like disaster preparedness. This negligence leaves the country unprepared for future calamities. As an engineer, I believe three critical phases must be addressed to effectively manage such situations: pre-disaster planning, real-time disaster response, and post-disaster recovery. Each phase requires a well-structured approach, involving all levels of government, from the central to the local, to function smoothly and mitigate chaos.
The Role of Government and Local Authorities
Nepal operates with a central government, seven provincial governments, and numerous local and municipal bodies. For disaster management to be efficient, each of these layers must have a clearly defined role, supported by coordination and resource allocation. While the central government is essential for mobilizing large-scale resources and technical assistance, local governments must play a crucial role in immediate response and manpower management. This decentralized model ensures that disasters are managed effectively at the grassroots level, without unnecessary bureaucratic delays. Local authorities should be empowered to respond rapidly, with access to human resources and emergency equipment. Meanwhile, central and provincial governments must ensure they are well-equipped with resources such as military, police, and technical support. This layered coordination is essential for a robust disaster management framework.
The Need for a Centralized Algorithm and Structural Reforms
To streamline disaster response, the government should implement a clear and automated algorithm for disaster management. This system would eliminate the need for prolonged chains of command, enabling different arms of the government to function in concert automatically. There must also be strong coordination between all stakeholders to ensure a seamless response. Technically, many of the disasters we face today are a consequence of human activity and environmental degradation. It’s critical that we implement stricter environmental regulations, align our infrastructure with ecological considerations, and raise our concerns on international platforms about the adverse impacts of climate change. Nepal, a country highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, must advocate for compensation and support from the global community.
Pre-Disaster Preparedness: A Crucial Element
In my experience working in green construction, I’ve come to realize that disaster management begins long before a calamity strikes. Pre-disaster planning involves identifying potential threats and implementing preventive measures. This includes retrofitting buildings in earthquake-prone areas to minimize casualties, maintaining open spaces and buffer zones in urban planning, and educating the public about disaster preparedness. Geotechnical assessments, soil treatments, afforestation programs, and proper water channeling should be part of this approach, especially in areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding.
For flood-prone regions, innovative housing designs and efficient drainage systems are essential. We should consider water recharge ponds and emergency canals as viable solutions to mitigate the effects of flooding. If we establish a strong pre-disaster algorithm, the actual handling of disasters becomes more manageable and flexible.
Real-Time Disaster Response: An Automated System
During a disaster, time is of the essence. Power, resources, and manpower must be mobilized efficiently. An automated alert system should activate emergency teams, such as armed forces, police, and disaster management units, within minutes of a crisis. Local governments must be capable of deploying manpower immediately, with rapid assessment teams (utilizing helicopters or drones) reaching the affected area within minutes to assess the damage and start rescue operations. The use of drones for real-time data collection can significantly improve response times and resource allocation. A robust, well-structured system would minimize ambiguity and maximize the chances of rescuing those affected, reducing the overall impact of the disaster.
Post-Disaster Recovery: Learning and Rebuilding
Post-disaster recovery is equally important. A dedicated team must assess the effectiveness of the response, identify gaps in the system, and work to restore normalcy as quickly as possible. For example, if a bridge is damaged by flooding, prompt retrofitting must be carried out to ensure transportation is restored within days. A strong post-disaster recovery plan will help rebuild infrastructure quickly and reduce the long-term impact on the affected communities.
Addressing the Systemic Issues
The underlying problem in Nepal’s disaster management lies in the system itself. Political instability and bureaucratic inefficiencies prevent disaster units from functioning at their full potential. Skilled professionals are often sidelined, and government resources are misused under the guise of disaster management. This disorganization leads to chaos during crises, complicating rescue and recovery efforts. Nepal must work towards building a stronger, more efficient structure to enhance the flexibility of disaster management and ensure sustainable solutions for future crises. By improving coordination between government bodies, employing innovative technical solutions, and focusing on long-term environmental sustainability, we can drastically reduce the damage caused by natural disasters.
