A total of 443 people were killed in natural disasters across the country in the past 10 months, according to Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) data. 

The figure was made public during a discussion programme “Policy Plan on Disaster Management and Legal Management” organised by the Forum for Women, Law and Development in the Capital on Thursday. 

Number of people who lost their lives epidemic, flooding, storms, rains and altitude sickness is more than those killed in landslides. As many as 145 people were killed in landslides, according to the ministry.  MoHA Deputy Secretary Shankar Hari Adhikari said 9,217 people were killed, 236 disappeared and 22,652 injured in the earthquake in 2015 and other disasters last year. 

Nirmala Adhikari, chief of Division of Law under MoHA, informed that  MoHA was doing homework to implement act related to disasters, identify open spaces and put in place disaster preparedness measures.  Speaking at the programme, Advocate Mira Dhungana, chairperson of the Forum for Women, Law and Development, laid stressed on the need for including issues relating to disaster preparedness measures and tackling disaster risks.