Kathmandu: The Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal has intensified its preparedness for the monsoon season by placing more than 21,000 trained personnel on alert and deploying over 8,000 officers on 24-hour standby to respond to floods, landslides, and waterlogging across the country.
The APF on Thursday unveiled its Monsoon Preparedness and Response Plan-2083, outlining a nationwide strategy to reduce the impact of monsoon-related disasters and ensure prompt rescue and relief operations in vulnerable areas.
Under the plan, 21,699 APF personnel have received specialised disaster management training and remain ready for deployment. Speaking at the programme, Inspector General (IGP) Narayan Dutta Poudyal said the force aims to provide similar training to all APF personnel by mid-July.
To strengthen emergency response, 8,180 personnel have been placed on round-the-clock standby for immediate mobilisation during natural disasters.
IGP Poudyal said the APF has enhanced its preparedness in line with the National Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan-2083, considering the increased risks of floods, landslides, and inundation during the rainy season.
He added that disaster focal persons have been designated at APF offices across the country to improve coordination with government agencies and stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
As part of the preparedness measures, 95 communication-trained APF personnel have been deployed to key coordination centres, including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the National Emergency Operation Centre, Provincial Emergency Operation Centres, and District Emergency Operation Centres.
APF spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Netra Bahadur Karki said the force has identified disaster-prone areas where rescue operations may be delayed due to difficult terrain and logistical challenges. To address this, 54 temporary monsoon response bases have been established across all seven provinces.
According to DIG Karki, six temporary bases have been set up in Koshi Province, 11 in Madhes Province, 16 in Bagmati Province, four in Gandaki Province, seven in Lumbini Province, two in Karnali Province, and eight in Sudurpaschim Province.
In addition, the APF has maintained 16 permanent disaster management bases equipped with trained personnel and essential rescue equipment at high-risk locations to ensure rapid deployment during emergencies.
The APF stated that these enhanced preparedness measures are aimed at minimising the loss of life and property while strengthening the country’s capacity to respond effectively to monsoon-induced disasters.
