Kathmandu, Oct 30: The government is preparing to publish a comprehensive assessment of the damage caused by the devastating Bhotekoshi floods before Tihar, with reconstruction and recovery estimated to cost around Rs 700 billion.
The National Planning Commission (NPC) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) have completed field assessments through various sectoral teams and are finalising the report.
According to the commission, more than 250 officials were deployed to flood-hit areas along the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers. They spent over a month collecting data and assessing damage across 24 sectors.
NPC member Arjunjung Thapa said the commission plans to release the full report at a press conference before Tihar. Technical teams have collected data from every affected ward in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha in coordination with local governments.
The assessment covers roads, buildings, drinking water, hydropower, agriculture, schools and climate-related losses. The findings are being consolidated into a comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).
Thapa said the estimated reconstruction cost of around Rs 700 billion was broadly comparable to the damage assessment conducted after the 2015 earthquake, with a possible variation of just 3 to 4 percent.
The disaster authority’s preliminary report had estimated reconstruction and recovery costs at more than Rs 723.31 billion. The detailed assessment has produced figures broadly consistent with that estimate.
The floods caused an estimated Rs 408.28 billion in damage and losses in Rasuwa alone. Economic activities and livelihoods worth Rs 146.19 billion were affected, including Rs 30.30 billion in direct damage and Rs 115.89 billion in losses.
The preliminary assessment estimated that rebuilding business establishments alone would require Rs 45.45 billion. Around Rs 300 billion of the total estimated damage is expected to have fallen on the private sector.
Relief options for private hydropower projects
Around eight privately operated hydropower projects suffered major damage. Thapa said the government could not directly compensate private developers in cash, but the commission had recommended several relief measures.
These include restructuring existing loans, facilitating access to additional loans and having the government bear interest costs on new borrowing. Extending project operating licences from 25 years to 28 or 30 years is another proposed option.
Relief for victims’ families rests with govt
Asked whether compensation for families of those killed or missing, including the proposed Rs 200,000 per deceased person, would be included in the reconstruction package, Thapa said the commission was responsible only for assessing damage.
Decisions on compensation rates and relief packages would rest entirely with the government, he said.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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