KATHMANDU, June 3 (Xinhua) -- More than 1.8 million people could be affected by monsoon rain-induced disasters in Nepal this year, the authorities cautioned on Monday.
A total of 412,000 households may be exposed in the months-long monsoon season expected to start next week, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority.
"Above-normal rainfall has been predicted for the upcoming monsoon season which will increase the number of affected people," Dijan Bhattarai, the authority's spokesperson, told Xinhua.
Around 31,000 security personnel will be mobilized for rescue and relief efforts this year along with volunteers, and relief materials have been stored in 10 different locations across the country, said the spokesperson.
As a mountainous country, Nepal is prone to landslides, mudslides and other rain-triggered disasters. ■