Kathmandu: The government has placed 26,219 security personnel, including 134 trained divers, on standby across the country for search, rescue and disaster response operations during the upcoming monsoon season.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, personnel from all three security agencies have been prepared for immediate mobilization in disaster-affected areas as required.

Authority spokesperson Shanti Mahat said all necessary preparations for monsoon-related disasters have been completed and a national response plan has already been implemented with clear responsibilities assigned to concerned agencies.

According to the authority, the standby force includes:
-7,524 personnel from the Nepal Army,
-10,585 personnel from the Nepal Police,
- 8,110 personnel from the Armed Police Force Nepal, including 134 divers.

The personnel will be deployed across all 77 districts depending on the scale and location of disasters during the monsoon period. Authorities also stated that additional local manpower available in districts would be mobilized if necessary.

The disaster authority has estimated that around 226,661 people from 51,868 households across Nepal could be affected by monsoon-related disasters this year.

According to spokesperson Mahat, the estimate is based on projections from the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, which has forecast below-average rainfall but above-average temperatures during this year’s monsoon season.

Despite predictions of lower-than-normal rainfall, authorities have warned that even limited rainfall could still trigger floods, landslides and other disasters in vulnerable areas. The public has therefore been urged to remain alert and take necessary precautions throughout the monsoon period.