Former Reconstruction Authority chief Govinda Raj Pokharel on the urgent need for a permanent, powerful disaster ministry
Summary
Govinda Raj Pokharel says Nepal needs a permanent, powerful disaster ministry to lead recovery after the devastating Bhotekoshi and Trishuli floods. He argues the country must rebuild in safer places, adopt stricter infrastructure codes, and assess both public and private losses in a transparent post-disaster plan.
Key Points
- The August 26 flash floods along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers caused massive destruction, with more than 1,300 deaths and thousands still missing.
- Former NRA chief Govinda Raj Pokharel says the disaster is different from the 2015 earthquakes because entire land areas were washed away and communities may need relocation.
- He argues Nepal needs permanent disaster institutions, stronger infrastructure construction codes, and mandatory disaster due diligence for major projects.
- Pokharel also urges diversification of Nepal’s energy mix, better post-disaster assessments, and a recovery plan that captures private-sector losses as well as public damage.
