Kathmandu, September 10 (Daily Kiran) : The Prime Minister‘s office in Kathmandu announced that Nepal will require an estimated NPR 723.315 billion (approximately $4.74 billion) for reconstruction and recovery following the catastrophic floods that struck the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa District on August 26.
This financial assessment is based on the “Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment” (RDNA) report, compiled by a technical team from the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
The resources needed are substantial, especially considering the floods resulted in 1,377 fatalities, with over 5,130 individuals still unaccounted for as of Thursday morning. The disaster also caused significant damage to infrastructure along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors, affecting over a dozen hydropower projects.
According to the RDNA report, the infrastructure sector suffered the most, requiring around $3.1 billion (NPR 473.572 billion) for repairs, which constitutes nearly 75% of the total estimated recovery needs. The energy sector was particularly hard-hit; the floods impacted 13 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 759 megawatts and five solar plants totaling 24 megawatts.
The Independent Power Producers Association of Nepal (IPPAN) reported that 917 individuals connected to 11 hydropower projects in the flood-affected corridors remain unreachable. Rescue teams are investigating whether these individuals may be trapped inside hydropower tunnels. The report estimates that restoring the energy and power grid systems will require $2.56 billion (NPR 390.623 billion).
Transportation infrastructure also faced severe damage, with approximately 69 kilometers of roads destroyed. Thirty-three motorable bridges were swept away, and four others suffered partial damage. Of the 64 suspension bridges in the affected areas, 53 were reported damaged. The estimated cost for restoring transportation infrastructure stands at NPR 73.343 billion.
The floods have wreaked havoc across multiple districts, including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, and Chitwan, damaging homes and social infrastructure. A total of 7,570 private houses were affected, along with 48 public buildings, 18 schools, seven health centers, and 30 cultural heritage sites. Recovery for the social sector is projected to require NPR 103.55 billion.
The economic impact extends to various productive sectors, including trade, banking, and agriculture. The assessment indicates that 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 17 bank branches, and 4,800 commercial establishments were impacted, with recovery costs estimated at NPR 50.775 billion.
Additionally, the government anticipates needing NPR 94.753 billion for disaster risk reduction and river management, while NPR 515.4 million will be necessary for debris removal.
The RDNA report outlines a phased approach to reconstruction, dividing it into immediate relief and short-term recovery measures. An estimated NPR 8.735 billion will be needed in the next six months for urgent assistance, while long-term reconstruction is projected to require NPR 714.58 billion. This underscores the significant financial burden the disaster has placed on the government and affected communities.
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