This year, 73 people have lost their lives in various natural calamities. At least 27 people were killed by lightning, 15 by fire, 10 by wild animals, 8 by landslides, 8 by hurricanes, 3 by snake bites and 2 in flood.

 The number of people injured in various disasters across the country is also high however there is no definite information about the loss of physical property. At an interaction organized by Disaster Preparedness Network (DPNET) for media persons on ‘Role of Communication in Early Information System’, Prof. Dr. Jiba Raj Pokharel, former Vice-Chancellor of Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, said that emphasis should be laid on basic technology to control natural disasters.

 Former Minister for Education, Dr. Gangalal Tuladhar, urged all to take part in it as it would be a great deed if the situation of untimely death, mutilation and loss of physical property due to natural calamities could be stopped in time.