Kathmandu, September 10
The Nepal government has estimated that Rs 723.31 billion will be required for reconstruction and recovery following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 26.
According to a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report prepared by a joint technical team involving the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, infrastructure recovery alone will require Rs 473.57 billion.
The infrastructure sector accounts for around 75 percent of the total recovery needs identified in the assessment.
Energy and roads suffered the most extensive damage among infrastructure sectors. Thirteen hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 759 MW and five solar power plants with a total capacity of 24 MW were affected by the floods.
The report estimates that Rs 390.62 billion will be required to restore the energy and power grid systems.
The floods also damaged 69 kilometres of roads. Thirty-three motorable bridges were washed away and four others suffered partial damage.
Of the 64 suspension bridges located in the affected areas, 53 were damaged.
The overall recovery of transport infrastructure in the affected areas is estimated to cost Rs 73.34 billion.
Rs 103.55 billion needed for social infrastructure
The floods also caused significant physical and economic damage to social and productive sectors.
A total of 7,570 private houses were damaged across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan. In addition, 48 public buildings, 18 schools, seven health facilities and 30 cultural heritage sites were damaged.
The government estimates that Rs 103.55 billion will be required for recovery in the social sector.
The productive sector—which includes businesses, banks and agriculture—will require another Rs 50.77 billion for recovery, according to the assessment.
The floods affected 1,806 hectares of agricultural crops, 17 bank branches and around 4,800 business establishments.
Among the 15 local units affected across the five districts, Bidur Municipality of Nuwakot recorded the highest number of damaged private houses, with 3,026 homes affected.
The report estimates that Rs 94.75 billion will be needed for disaster risk reduction and river management, while Rs 515.4 million will be required for the management of mud and debris generated by the floods.
Reconstruction divided into two phases
The assessment has divided the recovery and reconstruction process into two phases.
For immediate relief and short-term reconstruction over the next six months, the government estimates a requirement of Rs 8.74 billion.
Long-term reconstruction, meanwhile, is expected to cost Rs 714.58 billion.
The assessment provides the government’s initial estimate of the financial resources required to restore infrastructure, social services, productive activities and disaster management systems in areas affected by the August 26 floods.
