Kathmandu, September 11: The Bhotekoshi flood is estimated to have caused preliminary damage worth Rs 67.87 billion to the social sector. An estimated Rs 103.54 billion will be required for the recovery and reconstruction of the damaged social-sector infrastructure.
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, 7,570 private houses were destroyed by the flood. When the houses and property inside them are taken into account, damage to the private housing sector is estimated at Rs 63.8848 billion. An estimated Rs 95.8272 billion will be required for its recovery.
The flood damaged 48 public buildings, of which 35 were completely destroyed and 13 partially damaged. The damage to the buildings and property within them is estimated at Rs 2.6459 billion, according to the report. An estimated Rs 4.23 billion will be required to reconstruct the public buildings.
Similarly, 18 schools were affected by the flood. Eleven were completely destroyed, while seven sustained partial damage. Damage to school buildings and other property is estimated at Rs 937.3 million. An estimated Rs 2.34 billion will be required for the recovery of the education sector.
The flood also damaged the health sector. Seven buildings providing health services were affected, of which four were completely destroyed and three partially damaged. The report states that the health sector suffered damage worth Rs 236.6 million and that Rs 780 million will be required for its recovery.
Cultural and religious heritage sites were also affected by the flood. According to the preliminary assessment, 30 cultural and religious sites were affected. They suffered damage worth Rs 147.7 million, while an estimated Rs 365.9 million will be required for their recovery.
Private housing suffers the greatest damage
The RDNA report has separately assessed the damage to different types of buildings and structures under the social sector.
Among the affected structures, RCC and other types of private buildings account for 26.9 percent. However, in terms of monetary value, they account for 73.4 percent of the damage.
Cement-built buildings account for 42.5 percent of the affected structures. In terms of value, however, their share of the damage is 20.8 percent. Although mud-built buildings account for 30.6 percent of the affected structures, their share of the damage in monetary terms is 5.8 percent.
Buildings of customs offices were also affected by the flood. Customs-office buildings account for 4.2 percent of the affected structures, but their share of the damage in monetary terms is 35.4 percent.
Cremation sites account for 16.7 percent of the affected structures, while their share of the damage in monetary terms is 4.6 percent. Religious sites account for 12.5 percent of the affected structures, with a 6.5 percent share of the damage in monetary terms.
Police-post buildings account for 10.4 percent of the affected structures, while their share of the damage in monetary terms is 11.3 percent. Government office buildings account for 12.5 percent of the affected structures, with an 8.8 percent share of the damage in monetary terms.
Health buildings account for 8.3 percent of the affected structures, while their share of the damage in monetary terms is 5 percent. Structures belonging to the Nepal Army account for 4.2 percent of the affected structures and 5.9 percent of the damage in monetary terms.
Prison buildings account for 4.2 percent of the affected structures and 5 percent of the damage in monetary terms. Covered halls also account for 4.2 percent of the affected structures, while their share of the damage in monetary terms is 2.8 percent.
Sports-related structures account for 4.2 percent of the affected structures, while their share of the damage in monetary terms is 1.4 percent.
Buildings for senior citizens account for 2.1 percent of the affected structures, while their share in monetary terms is 5.1 percent. Assembly halls account for 2.1 percent of the affected structures, with a 0.6 percent share of the damage in monetary terms.
Government bank buildings account for 2.1 percent of the affected structures and 1.4 percent of the damage in monetary terms. Community buildings account for 2.1 percent of the affected structures and 3.6 percent of the damage in monetary terms.
Likewise, other buildings account for 4.2 percent of the affected structures and 2.1 percent of the total damage in monetary terms, according to the report.
The report highlights the need to combine immediate relief with long-term recovery and reconstruction following the Bhotekoshi flood, with a focus on building safer, risk-reduction-based infrastructure designed to withstand future disasters.
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