Over 1,000 Fire Incidents Reported in Five Months; 16 Lives Lost

Nepal witnessed 1,116 fire incidents across various districts in the past five months, claiming 16 lives and leaving 145 people injured, according to Nepal Police.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bishwa Raj Adhikari reported that the disasters caused extensive damage, destroying 190 houses, 130 cowsheds, and one government office, while also resulting in the loss of 455 cattle. The property damage is estimated at around Rs 500 million.

To manage these incidents, over 8,000 police personnel were mobilized, with 29 families displaced due to the fires. The highest number of incidents occurred in Koshi Province, which recorded 131 cases. Other provinces reported varying numbers: Madhes Province with 269, Kathmandu Valley with 140, Lumbini with 114, Gandaki Province with 81, Bagmati Province with 70, Sudurpaschim with 60, and Karnali with 51.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) highlighted the ongoing severity of the situation, with 19 fire incidents reported nationwide just yesterday. Two individuals were injured in those events, according to NDRRMA spokesperson Dr. Dijan Bhattarai.

NDRRMA has issued a warning, urging citizens to exercise caution while handling fire, electricity, and gas-related materials as fire incidents continue to occur daily. The authority emphasized the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures to mitigate the risks.

The recent data underscores the critical need for improved fire safety protocols and emergency response strategies to protect lives and property in Nepal.