Government estimates NRs 723 billion needed to rebuild flood-damaged areas

The government has estimated that NRs 723.31 billion will be required to rebuild and restore areas devastated by the floods that struck the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers on August 26 (Bhadra 10).

According to a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) prepared by a joint technical team involving the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, infrastructure restoration accounts for the largest share of the estimated requirement, at NRs 473.57 billion.

The energy sector has suffered particularly severe damage. The floods affected 13 hydropower projects with a combined capacity of about 783 MW, along with five solar power projects totaling 24 MW. The government estimates that restoring the energy and grid system alone will cost Rs 390.62 billion.

Major hydropower projects reported as affected include the 216 MW Upper Trishuli-1, 111 MW Rasuwagadhi, 120 MW Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi, 60 MW Upper Trishuli-3A and 37 MW Upper Trishuli-3B, among others. Damage includes power-generation facilities, access roads, transmission infrastructure and other supporting structures.

The floods also caused extensive damage to transportation infrastructure. Around 69 kilometers of roads were damaged, while 33 motorable bridges were swept away and four others partially damaged. Out of 64 suspension bridges in the affected areas, 53 were damaged. The government estimates that restoring transport infrastructure will require NRs 73.34 billion.

The disaster affected 15 local governments across five districts—Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan. A total of 7,570 private houses, 48 public buildings, 18 schools, seven health facilities and 30 cultural heritage sites were damaged. Recovery of the social sector is estimated to cost NRs 103.55 billion.

The productive sector, including businesses, banks and agriculture, also sustained significant losses. About 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 17 bank branches and 4,800 business establishments were affected. The government estimates that NRs 50.77 billion will be needed to restore this sector.

The assessment has divided recovery into two phases. Immediate relief and short-term reconstruction over the next six months are estimated to require NRs 8.74 billion, while long-term reconstruction is expected to cost NRs 714.58 billion.

The floods have also caused a major humanitarian concern in the hydropower sector. According to the RDNA, 917 workers and employees involved in affected power projects remain unaccounted for. The Nepal Army, Armed Police Force and Nepal Police, along with technical experts and personnel from the affected companies, are involved in search and rescue efforts.

The assessment also estimates that NRs 94.75 billion will be required for disaster-risk reduction and river-management measures, while approximately NRs 515 million will be needed to clear mud, debris and flood-related waste.