Under the Koshi Highway section of the Dhankuta–Hile road, vehicles were unable to move for more than 14 hours during the mid-week of March 2026.
Ambulances carrying patients from Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, and Panchthar, along with vehicles transporting medicines, daily essential goods, and passenger buses, were stranded on the Dhankuta-Hile road section for more than 14 hours.
Strong winds and adverse weather conditions during the March storm caused dozens of trees along the Dhankuta-Hile road section to fall, blocking the road for over 14 hours.
Due to weak preparedness from both the District Disaster Management Committee and local disaster management committees, the road remained blocked for a prolonged period.
The road was closed after trees fell along the roadside, and security forces were deployed. However, due to a lack of necessary equipment, the highway could not be reopened for nearly 14 hours. Although the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police were mobilized at the site, there was a shortage of chainsaws needed to cut the trees. As a result, despite the availability of manpower, rescue and clearance operations were slow and difficult due to the lack of equipment.
Disaster incidents in the district are not limited to road blockages. During floods, inundations, or drowning-related incidents, there is also a lack of essential materials required for timely rescue. Chief District Officer Binod Kumar Khadka stated that in incidents occurring in the Tamor and Arun corridor areas, the absence of boats, rubber rafts, and life jackets often delays rescue operations. He further said that tools such as chainsaws for cutting trees and firefighting equipment are also limited, and whatever is available cannot be deployed everywhere.
During floods and landslides, the Armed Police Force, which is at the frontline of disaster response, does not have sufficient life jackets. Although a few are available at the base camp in Mulghat, Dhankuta, there is a shortage in other areas. Similarly, the Nepal Red Cross Society also lacks adequate equipment for immediate relief distribution, said District President Chhatra Kumar Shrestha. This has made it difficult to provide immediate assistance to affected citizens.
During disasters, local governments are also distributing relief using their limited resources. According to Pakhriwas Municipality Mayor Gyan Bahadur Gurung, in the event of death due to a disaster, relief up to Rs. 100,000 is provided. In cases of house collapse or livestock loss, assistance ranging from Rs. 40,000 to 50,000 is given, and for minor damages, relief of Rs. 10,000 to 15,000 is provided. However, he stated that this alone is not sufficient. Mayor Gurung emphasized that instead of only local governments, the federal government should create a clear “pocket” fund and provide dedicated budget and resources.
The District Disaster Management Fund, which is chaired by the Chief District Officer, is itself empty. This has further complicated immediate relief distribution and rescue operations during disasters. A recent meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee was also focused more on discussions about resource shortages rather than strengthening preparedness.
The meeting concluded that due to a lack of resources, committees formed at both the district and local levels are unable to function effectively.
Although the federal government repeatedly issues directives to strengthen disaster preparedness, the reality in Dhankuta is different. The district lacks basic infrastructure, equipment, and budget needed to implement these directives. As a result, disaster response remains limited to reaction alone, while preparedness exists mostly on paper.