KATHMANDU: National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has urged the public to exercise heightened caution throughout the monsoon season, warning that the risks of floods, landslides, riverbank erosion, inundation, lightning and snakebites remain high across the country.

The authority has called on people to take preventive measures to protect lives and property, advising travelers to check weather forecasts and road conditions before setting out. It also urged the public to remain vigilant while travelling during periods of heavy rainfall.

In a public advisory, the NDRRMA requested people to avoid travelling at night during intense rainfall whenever possible and warned against attempting to cross flooded rivers, streams or other waterways.

The authority also advised people not to enter rivers or streams to collect firewood, fish or swim during rainfall and urged them to avoid unnecessary movement in areas vulnerable to landslides.

People have also been warned not to stand on unsafe bridges or riverbanks to take photographs or videos, avoid hiking alone during the monsoon, and immediately move to safer locations and contact local authorities or security agencies if signs of a disaster are observed.

The advisory further recommends keeping household drains and drainage systems clean to reduce flooding risks. As snakebite incidents typically increase during the rainy season, people are urged to keep their surroundings clean and use flashlights when walking outdoors at night.

The authority also advised the public to seek shelter immediately during lightning storms, keep important documents, essential medicines and non-perishable food packed in an emergency bag, and ensure mobile phones remain fully charged with sufficient balance for emergency communication.

The NDRRMA urged people not to spread or believe rumours and to rely only on information issued by official sources. It also encouraged the public to regularly monitor official weather and disaster updates.

For disaster information and emergency rescue services, the authority has asked the public to contact 1234, 100 or 1144, while weather-related information is available through 1155.

The NDRRMA reported that 47 disaster-related incidents were recorded across the country over the past 24 hours, causing an estimated Rs 1.31 million in damages. The incidents claimed three lives and left eight people injured.