Bhotekoshi Flood Causes Over NPR 400 Billion in Infrastructure Damage

Kathmandu. The flood in the Bhotekoshi River on Bhadra 10 has caused damage to physical infrastructure worth more than 4 kharba rupees. According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report prepared by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the loss amounts to 4 kharba 8 arba 28 crore 91 lakh rupees (2 arba 69 crore 53 lakh US dollars). The report indicates direct damage to physical assets and structures worth 2 kharba 74 arba 48 crore 32 lakh rupees and economic losses due to disruption of production and services amounting to 1 kharba 33 arba 80 crore 58 lakh rupees. The report states that the government will require 7 kharba 23 arba 31 crore 52 lakh rupees to reconstruct the physical infrastructure damaged by the flood. The preliminary projection according to the study report is that 4 arba 77 crore 49 lakh US dollars will be needed solely for the reconstruction of damaged structures, disaster risk reduction, and safe resettlement of livelihoods after the disaster. According to the preliminary report issued by the government, the flood damage is comparable to the damage caused by the great earthquake in Nepal in 2072 BS. The Post Disaster Need Assessment report of 2015 estimated the total damage at 7 kharba 6 arba rupees. The flood has caused the most damage to energy and road infrastructure.

It is estimated that 4 kharba 73 arba rupees will be required for the revival of the infrastructure sector alone. This accounts for 75 percent of the total disaster recovery needs.