Minister Gautam pledges legal reforms and safer infrastructure to reduce disaster risks
Summary
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobita Gautam has pledged legal reforms and safer infrastructure to reduce disaster risks in Nepal. She cited the Rasuwa flood as a warning that future development must be more resilient and backed by scientific evidence.
Key Points
- Sobita Gautam said existing laws and policies on disaster risk reduction will be reformed to better fit Nepal’s geography and growing hazards.
- She linked the recent Rasuwa flood to the need for safer infrastructure and more resilient development planning.
- The government has already introduced an emergency legal provision for the safe burial of bodies during disasters, based on WHO guidance.
- Laws will also be revised to address emergency declarations of death or missing status, as well as property and family rights issues.
