Bhotekoshi floods cause Rs 79.17bn in losses, NPC estimates

KATHMANDU: National Planning Commission (NPC) has estimated that the floods along the Rasuwagadhi and Bhotekoshi river areas on August 26 caused preliminary economic losses worth Rs 79.17 billion.

The assessment was launched after a Council of Ministers decision on August 28 to prepare a post-disaster needs assessment report, including financial requirements and reconstruction plans. The NPC deployed 156 technical and administrative personnel in 58 teams across 15 local levels in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha districts.

According to the preliminary survey, 7,316 households and commercial establishments were affected, including 6,817 households and 499 businesses. Nuwakot recorded the highest number of affected households and establishments at 4,164, followed by Rasuwa with 1,977, Dhading with 1,052 and Gorkha with 123.

The floods directly affected 32,872 people, including 17,954 in Nuwakot, 9,676 in Rasuwa, 4,584 in Dhading and 658 in Gorkha. Of the total, 16,714 were male, 16,080 female and 78 belonged to other gender identities or were unrecorded.

The survey found that 4,151 building structures owned by 3,067 homeowners were damaged. Of these, 2,989 structures, or 72.01%, were completely destroyed, while 3,194 structures, or 76.95%, were rendered unusable and beyond repair.

Affected families reported varying preferences for permanent resettlement. Among 3,067 families surveyed, 939 said they preferred land provided by the government, while 590 opted for government-arranged collective housing. Another 797 families said they wished to return to their original residential plots.

The assessment estimated damage to land plots and housing structures at tens of billions of rupees. Land associated with owned houses suffered losses worth Rs 13.26 billion, while damage to building structures was estimated at Rs 11.95 billion. Land and plot losses across 3,610 families were valued at approximately Rs 35.44 billion.

Agricultural losses included damage to standing crops worth Rs 23.21 million, food grain losses worth Rs 10.41 million and livestock and fish farming losses worth Rs 21.42 million.

The survey also recorded vehicle losses worth Rs 1.24 billion among 1,115 families, while losses of cash, valuables, cultural assets and archaeological items across 2,330 families were estimated at Rs 5.02 billion. Household goods losses amounted to more than Rs 2.1 billion.

In the business sector, 1,638 enterprises and establishments reported damage, including 962 in Nuwakot, 416 in Rasuwa, 241 in Dhading and 19 in Gorkha. Wholesale and retail trade accounted for the largest share of affected businesses, followed by accommodation and food services.

Commercial vehicle losses among businesses were estimated at Rs 940 million. Business-owned livestock and agricultural assets also suffered significant losses.

The NPC said the preliminary estimate allocates Rs 69.57 billion in losses to households and Rs 9.60 billion to businesses. It added that data compilation is continuing to incorporate broader damage assessments covering infrastructure, productive sectors, social sectors and the environment.