Madhes reports 459 disaster incidents in two months, 92 fatalities
Janakpurdham, Oct 3: Madhes Province has reported 459 incidences of disasters in the first two months of the current fiscal year, 2083/ 84 BS.
The casualties stood at 92, while over 500 families have been affected, according to the Madhes Province Office, Janakpurdham.
The casualties include 47 males, 19 women and 28 children. In the period of two months (Saun-Bhadau/ mid- July to mid- September), the province recorded cases of fire, floods, lightning, electrocution, drowning, wildlife attacks and inundations which also caused property loss including the livestock damage.
Among the disaster-related deaths, the highest casualties (39) were due to electric shocks, said office spokesperson Senior Superintendent of Police, Prabhu Prasad Dhakal. Similarly, 29 deaths are related to drowning, five were due to wildlife assaults, three due to lightning, one from fire and 13 from others.
According to the police, the number of children losing lives to the disasters is also noticeable, showing that children are at high risk of disaster.
During monsoon, the Madhes becomes more vulnerable to water-related disasters including floods and inundation. Similarly, cases of drowning in ponds in rural areas and in other water bodies are also frequent
In the period of two months, 112 incidents of fire were reported which was followed by 107 of electrocution, 37 drowning, 32 wildlife attacks, 12 floods and 10 lightning.
According to SSP Dhakal, public awareness is needed to prevent incidents of fire and electrocution. The physical losses from the disasters amount to Rs 29.24 million.
A total of 510 families have been affected by the disasters.
The office said that 2,869 police forces have been mobilised for the disaster response and rescue efforts in the province covering eight districts.
