Nepal, July 3 -- This year's monsoon, which arrived a week later than usual, has swept across Nepal with new vigour. In response, authorities have activated rapid response and rescue operations, preparing for the worst. Speaking at a recent meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Home Minister Sudhan Gurung announced that the government aims to ensure no lives are lost to monsoon-related disasters this year.

To this end, highly vulnerable and inaccessible areas have been identified, and 54 temporary monsoon response bases established. Permanent disaster management units are already operational in 16 high-risk locations. Security personnel have been placed on standby, helicopters and rescue equip...