Surkhet, Aug 30: In the last decade, disasters in Karnali Province have claimed the lives of 619 people and caused heavy property and economic losses.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law of Karnali Province, between 2015 and 2024 (2072 to 2081 BS), 619 people lost their lives in disaster-related incidents. Statistics show that 68 people went missing and 1,266 were injured during this period. Jajarkot recorded the highest number of deaths at 184, while Mugu had the lowest with 26. Rukum reported 92 deaths, Kalikot 84, Jumla 47, Humla 46, Salyan 39, Dailekh 36, Dolpa 35, and Surkhet 30.
In the last ten years, landslides caused the highest fatalities with 180 deaths, followed by earthquakes that killed 154 people, and fires that killed 64. Provincial Disaster Facilitator Ujwal Adhikari said lightning killed 46, floods 39, epidemics 34, high-altitude sickness 25, wildfires 15, drowning 14, and heavy rainfall 13.
The data shows earthquakes, landslides, fires, lightning, floods, and epidemics are the most damaging hazards in the province. Other causes of losses include epidemics, altitude sickness, river erosion, inundation, landslips, animal attacks, disease outbreaks, hailstorms, and storms. Scientific studies classify Karnali as a high-risk earthquake zone.
Economic damages over the decade reached nearly NPR 3.5 billion, with earthquakes accounting for the largest share. The Jajarkot earthquake last year inflicted severe destruction, with losses exceeding NPR 2.47 billion from earthquakes alone.
The provincial government said it is working on disaster preparedness and response plans to reduce possible damages. During the monsoon, work is carried out in line with monsoon preparedness and response strategies, Deputy Secretary Uttam Gautam of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law said.
He added that handbooks on disaster safety measures will be distributed to 13,000 students from grades 9 to 12 to raise awareness. He also noted that the government has introduced various policy provisions to support these efforts.
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