Nepal is facing a severe crisis due to heavy rainfall, resulting in floods and landslides that have devastated the country. The adverse weather conditions have caused significant damage, with nearly 47 fatalities reported so far. More than 5,000 families have been displaced due to the floods and landslides. In response to this natural disaster, the government is enlisting the help of the Gen-Z generation to assist in relief efforts.
Gen-Z is actively involved in aiding Nepal during the floods and heavy rainfall. The Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed Gen-Z volunteers to coordinate the response to the ongoing floods and landslides across the country. These Gen-Z leaders have been working to coordinate with various districts since Friday evening.
When the weather department issued a warning about heavy rainfall, floods, and landslides for three days, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs summoned Gen-Z leaders, including Sudan Gurung, Yugen Rajbhandari, and Bhavana Raut, to the Singhadurbar. Home Minister, Om Prakash Aryal, personally engaged in discussions with them. An official from the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the government sought assistance from all available resources to leave no stone unturned in addressing the situation.
The participation of Gen-Z, combined with information shared through social media, has facilitated swift action. A post by young Sagar Dhakal on social media regarding the incident in Panchthar proved crucial. According to the Home Department, had this information not been shared, the authorities would have received the news of the incident at an unknown location much later.
Following Dhakal’s post, officials from the Panchthar District Administration Office took immediate action. Arun Pokharel, the Chief District Officer of Panchthar, mentioned that they were coordinating with the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the timely information aided in rescuing people. Two individuals were rescued with the assistance of a military helicopter. The ministry has been leveraging the help of Gen-Z leaders to gather and disseminate information, and they have been deployed to assist.
A Ministry of Home Affairs official stated that the ministry was receiving numerous calls from various districts, and there was a great deal of coordination required. Therefore, they worked to deploy personnel to the most vulnerable areas on Saturday night. Gen-Z leader Sudan Gurung also participated in a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Saturday afternoon.
He also uploaded a video on the social media platform Facebook, providing directives to NEA CEO Dinesh Bhatta. He emphasized the prioritization of ambulances, stating that it should be confirmed whether ambulances are available in the affected areas, and if so, they should be deployed to rescue people.
According to Nepali media reports, the majority of the casualties due to landslides have occurred in Ilam. According to Central Police Spokesperson Binod Ghimire, 37 people died in Ilam over two days, and five were injured. Rainfall data from Sunday (in 24 hours): Mai Pokhari Station, Ilam: 269.4 mm, Ilam Tea Garden Station: 272.6 mm, Kaniyam: 275 mm. The weather department anticipates a reduction in rainfall across the country from Monday.