The recent floods and landslides on September 27-28 have inflicted severe damage across multiple sectors in Nepal, with losses now estimated at Rs 46.68 billion—significantly higher than the initial projection of Rs 17 billion, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The disaster has ravaged physical infrastructure, displaced thousands, and disrupted agriculture, posing a severe setback for the affected communities and raising concerns over long-term recovery needs.
Based on data from three sectors—physical infrastructure, social, and productive—the report indicates that physical infrastructure sustained the highest damage, totaling around Rs 38.92 billion. The highway sector bore the brunt, with 41 highways damaged and repair costs estimated at Rs 27.98 billion.
In the hydropower sector, 26 companies reported losses amounting to Rs 3.18 billion. In telecommunications, damage to 446 structures resulted in a loss of Rs 152.23 million. Meanwhile, the damage to 1,678 drinking water and sanitation structures accounted for losses of Rs 5.9 billion. Furthermore, 44 bridges and similar structures were damaged, causing losses of Rs 10.42 billion.
Social Sector Impact
The disaster affected a total of 16,243 people in the social sector, displacing 10,807 families. A total of 5,996 houses were destroyed, and 1,345 were partially damaged. In the health sector, six health facilities were completely destroyed, while 43 others were partially damaged. The education sector also suffered, with six schools completely destroyed and 136 schools partially damaged, disrupting the education of countless children.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Many districts reported human casualties, with Dhading, Kavre, and Lalitpur seeing the highest casualties. In total, 249 people lost their lives, and 178 were injured. Eighteen individuals remain missing, and over 17,000 people were rescued with the help of more than 14,800 police personnel.
Losses in Agriculture and Livestock
The productive sector, including agriculture and livestock, sustained significant losses amounting to Rs 7.15 billion. The disaster affected 65,380 hectares of arable land, and 26,698 livestock were impacted, resulting in an estimated economic loss of Rs 5.88 billion. Additionally, seven irrigation projects were damaged, incurring a loss of Rs 1.3 billion. The report warns that the destruction of agricultural infrastructure could pose a threat to food security in the affected regions.
Recommendations for Improved Preparedness
To mitigate future risks, the report highlights the need for enhanced disaster preparedness measures. It recommends strengthening early warning systems, improving risk communication with a multi-channel approach in local languages, and conducting regular disaster preparedness exercises. The report also advises investing in disaster-resistant infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, especially in high-risk areas. It also suggested enhancing coordination between government agencies, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations, along with empowering local communities through awareness programs.
