
On 8th August, 2023; Government of Nepal approved its first National Cyber Security Policy. This policies impact can be seen on 15th August, 2023 when Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal declared that there will not be the implementation of call and SMS recording system. The monsoon rain has beat August badly, resulting into flood in various places of Nepal including Kagbeni and Kathmandu. Furthermore, because of the heavy and continuous rainfall the cases of Conjunctivitis and Dengue has risen up in Nepal.
The first law against the cybercrime, collectively known as ‘National Cyber Security Policy 2023’ was approved by the Cabinet of Minister on 8th August, 2023. The Policy was endorsed so that the safe cyberspace could be created for its users. Moreover, the newly formed policy is determined to address the issues of unsafe internet use, hacking, bullying and the fraudulent activities. Furthermore, with the support of the policy, Government of Nepal is planning to form Cyber Security Center so that it could address the cyber related issues effectively.
National Cyber Security Policy is supposed to be the support system for the Government of Nepal to deal with the cases related to the cybercrimes. With the easier access to the mobile phones and internet services, there has been hike in the number of cybercrimes. There also was a proposal by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to record the calls and SMS of the citizens so that the cybercrimes could be minimized. However, this proposal had been criticized by people as it hindered the Citizen’s Right to Privacy. Hence, on 15th August, 2023; Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal made a declaration to not implement Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System (TERAMOCS).
The newly formed Cyber Security Policy has been undergoing through both positive and negative remarks. People are complaining that the newly formed policy, instead of boosting trust in the country’s IT and digital system had been targeting to take a control over people’s data. But, beside that it has also been receiving positive remarks for including provisions like cyber security promotion, digital literacy, use of encryption and also collaboration with civil society and the private sector. However, it would be better if the Government of Nepal analyzes both positive and negative remarks and then implement the policy effectively.
The Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality of Kagbeni, Mustang witnessed flood on 13th August, 2023. The flood had badly affected the human settlement in the Kagbeni area as it destroyed 20 houses, police post, under- construction motorable bridge on Jomsom – Kora La road, Trail Bridge and three electricity poles. However, flood was not able to cause human loss due to the early warning of its occurrence. Similarly, on 8th August, 2023; Kathmandu Valley also got affected by flood. The continuous rainfall had risen up water level in the rivers around the valley causing the risk to the people living around the river areas. Furthermore, the landslides and mudslides brought by the heavy rainfall had destroyed and swept away the roads of various districts of Nepal. Multiple number of houses and people have been displaced and number of causalities has been reported.
Despite of the multiple prevention strategies by the government, the same scenario of monsoon gets repeated every year. The government of Nepal has allocated separate budget for the disaster management in its budget plan for the fiscal year 2023-24. However, those budget doesn’t get utilized properly and hence its consequences gets more severe in every monsoon season. Likewise, the meager role of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has severely affected the disaster risk reduction and management in Nepal. It has brought the policies for the minimization of disaster but lacks the proper implementation of the same. Therefore government should increasingly focus on DRR by involving different stakeholders. Moreover, the public should not neglect the early warnings provided to them by the government and government needs to prioritize on makeshift camp before the disaster like flood and landslide occurs.
The month of August has seen the rapid increase in the case of Conjunctivitis or the eye infection. It is caused by the viral and bacterial infection where the symptoms includes eyes turning red or pink, itchiness, excessive tears and irritations. This infection has spread out all over Nepal and has resulted into shutting down of the schools and universities. Moreover, Chitwan, Pokhara, Taplejung, Kathmandu are the major places where the Conjunctivitis cases are higher. Likewise, Dengue is another disease that has been spreading rapidly in this monsoon season. On 2nd August, 2023; Dharan Sub- Metropolis of the Sunsari district closed all the institutions to campaign against the Dengue outbreak. Similarly, Government of Nepal has been spraying mosquito repellant to control the Dengue cases.
Monsoon has always been the season to witness the rise in bacterial and viral infection as it consists of continuous heavy rainfall. So, to minimize the spread of these infections, Government of Nepal must initiate to bring out the preventive measure beforehand. Spraying repellants, covering up the potholes, organizing awareness campaign can be some of the preventive strategies. Likewise, the public themselves have to be conscious regarding the infections that could affect them during this season.
Timeline of Major Events
Date | Events |
2nd August | Schools of Dharan Sub- metropolis of Sunsari district has been closed to control the outbreak of Dengue |
8th August | Kathmandu valley witnessed heavy rainfall causing floods in the river and streams |
8th August | Government of Nepal approved National Cyber Security Policy, 2023. |
13th August | Flood occurred at Kagbeni in Mustang district |
14th August | Schools ofKathmandu valley shut down with the rise in Conjunctivitis cases |
15th August | Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System (TERAMOCS) technology will not be implemented |
National Cyber Security Policy got endorsed
The first law against the cybercrime, collectively known as ‘National Cyber Security Policy 2023’ was approved by the Cabinet of Minister on 8th August, 2023. The Policy was endorsed so that the safe cyberspace could be created for its users. Moreover, the newly formed policy is determined to address the issues of unsafe internet use, hacking, bullying and the fraudulent activities. Furthermore, with the support of the policy, Government of Nepal is planning to form Cyber Security Center so that it could address the cyber related issues effectively.
National Cyber Security Policy is supposed to be the support system for the Government of Nepal to deal with the cases related to the cybercrimes. With the easier access to the mobile phones and internet services, there has been hike in the number of cybercrimes. There also was a proposal by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority to record the calls and SMS of the citizens so that the cybercrimes could be minimized. However, this proposal had been criticized by people as it hindered the Citizen’s Right to Privacy. Hence, on 15th August, 2023; Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal made a declaration to not implement Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring and Fraud Control System (TERAMOCS).
The newly formed Cyber Security Policy has been undergoing through both positive and negative remarks. People are complaining that the newly formed policy, instead of boosting trust in the country’s IT and digital system had been targeting to take a control over people’s data. But, beside that it has also been receiving positive remarks for including provisions like cyber security promotion, digital literacy, use of encryption and also collaboration with civil society and the private sector. However, it would be better if the Government of Nepal analyzes both positive and negative remarks and then implement the policy effectively.
Flood and Landslide still affecting the life of people
The Baragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality of Kagbeni, Mustang witnessed flood on 13th August, 2023. The flood had badly affected the human settlement in the Kagbeni area as it destroyed 20 houses, police post, under- construction motorable bridge on Jomsom – Kora La road, Trail Bridge and three electricity poles. However, flood was not able to cause human loss due to the early warning of its occurrence. Similarly, on 8th August, 2023; Kathmandu Valley also got affected by flood. The continuous rainfall had risen up water level in the rivers around the valley causing the risk to the people living around the river areas. Furthermore, the landslides and mudslides brought by the heavy rainfall had destroyed and swept away the roads of various districts of Nepal. Multiple number of houses and people have been displaced and number of causalities has been reported.
Despite of the multiple prevention strategies by the government, the same scenario of monsoon gets repeated every year. The government of Nepal has allocated separate budget for the disaster management in its budget plan for the fiscal year 2023-24. However, those budget doesn’t get utilized properly and hence its consequences gets more severe in every monsoon season. Likewise, the meager role of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has severely affected the disaster risk reduction and management in Nepal. It has brought the policies for the minimization of disaster but lacks the proper implementation of the same. Therefore government should increasingly focus on DRR by involving different stakeholders. Moreover, the public should not neglect the early warnings provided to them by the government and government needs to prioritize on makeshift camp before the disaster like flood and landslide occurs.
Surge in the Case of Dengue and Conjunctivitis
The month of August has seen the rapid increase in the case of Conjunctivitis or the eye infection. It is caused by the viral and bacterial infection where the symptoms includes eyes turning red or pink, itchiness, excessive tears and irritations. This infection has spread out all over Nepal and has resulted into shutting down of the schools and universities. Moreover, Chitwan, Pokhara, Taplejung, Kathmandu are the major places where the Conjunctivitis cases are higher. Likewise, Dengue is another disease that has been spreading rapidly in this monsoon season. On 2nd August, 2023; Dharan Sub- Metropolis of the Sunsari district closed all the institutions to campaign against the Dengue outbreak. Similarly, Government of Nepal has been spraying mosquito repellant to control the Dengue cases.
Monsoon has always been the season to witness the rise in bacterial and viral infection as it consists of continuous heavy rainfall. So, to minimize the spread of these infections, Government of Nepal must initiate to bring out the preventive measure beforehand. Spraying repellants, covering up the potholes, organizing awareness campaign can be some of the preventive strategies. Likewise, the public themselves have to be conscious regarding the infections that could affect them during this season.