PM Oli Calls for a Disaster-Resilient Nepal

Kathmandu – Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that Nepal can build a future where natural disasters cause minimal damage if the country prioritizes disaster-resilient infrastructure and preparedness.

Speaking at a memorial event organized at Dharahara on Friday to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Gorkha Earthquake, PM Oli underscored the importance of risk-reduction planning, stating that several other countries face earthquakes without major casualties because their structures are resilient by design.

“Earthquakes happen around the world—not just in Nepal. But in many places, such disasters pass without major damage because infrastructure there is built to withstand them,” said the Prime Minister.
“Instead of rebuilding homes after they collapse and kill people, we must ensure they don’t collapse in the first place. That’s the path to a safe Nepal.”

He urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) to prioritize preparedness and proactive planning.

PM Oli also noted that while Nepal does not face oceanic disasters like tsunamis or hurricanes, it remains vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and climate-induced threats.

“We must also focus on mitigating risks from glacial lakes, like those in Thame. Even if a glacial burst occurs, settlements downstream should be safeguarded from destruction,” he added, stressing the need for climate-adaptive infrastructure and local preparedness.

The address comes amid growing concern over Nepal’s urban vulnerability, especially in light of increasing unplanned settlements and climate change-induced hazards.