Bhotekoshi flood causes over Rs 67bn in social-sector losses, needs over Rs 103bn for recovery: report

KATHMANDU: The Bhotekoshi flash flood has caused social-sector losses estimated at Rs 67.87 billion, according to the 'Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA)' report prepared jointly by National Planning Commission and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA). The report indicates that this sector alone requires approximately Rs 103.54 billion for recovery.

Private residences suffered severe destruction, with the flooding destroying 7,570 private houses. An assessment of these residences and their internal contents places total losses at over Rs 63.88 billion, with reconstruction requirements projected at Rs 95.83 billion.

Public infrastructure was also hit, with 48 public structures damaged, comprising 35 destroyed and 13 partially damaged properties. Valuation of these properties and their contents sets total damage at over Rs 2.64 billion, while reconstruction calls for Rs 4.23 billion.

Education and health services sustained notable losses. Eighteen schools were affected — 11 completely and seven partially — with damage to school infrastructure and property equal to Rs 937 million and restoration requiring Rs 2.34 billion. Seven health facilities suffered damage, four destroyed and three partially affected; losses in healthcare total Rs 236.6 million, and reconstruction requires Rs 780 million.

Overview

Cultural heritage was also affected. Preliminary findings indicate 30 cultural and religious sites sustained damage amounting to Rs 147.7 million, with restoration estimated at Rs 365.9 million.

The report provides a breakdown of structural types across the social sector. Private buildings accounted for 26.9% of affected structures and represented 73.4% of total financial loss. Cement structures comprised 42.5% of affected areas and 20.8% of financial value, while mud buildings made up 30.6% of damaged structures and 5.8% of monetary loss.

Institutional and public infrastructure losses are detailed by facility type. Affected customs office buildings made up 4.2% of damaged structures but held a 35.4% share of total financial loss. Funeral sites represented 16.7% of affected structures and 4.6% of monetary value, while religious places made up 12.5% of structures, representing 6.5% of value. Police outposts constituted 10.4% of damaged sites, accounting for 11.3% of total loss value, and government office buildings accounted for 12.5% of structures, representing 8.8% in value.

Facilities providing health services made up 8.3% of affected structures, representing 5% of overall financial value. Structures belonging to the Nepali Army accounted for 4.2% of damaged buildings, corresponding to 5.9% in value, while prison buildings made up 4.2% of structures with a 5% loss share. Covered halls and sports infrastructure each accounted for 4.2% of affected structures, representing 2.8% and 1.4% of financial value respectively.

Senior citizens' facilities made up 2.1% of affected buildings, accounting for 5.1% of monetary value. Meeting halls, government bank buildings and community structures each constituted 2.1% of damaged structures, representing 0.6%, 1.4% and 3.6% of total monetary losses, respectively.

(With inputs from RSS)