Image source: RSS
One month after the devastating floods on September 26 (Bhadra 10), officials have stated that priorities have shifted from search and rescue operations to repairing damaged road networks and essential infrastructure.
According to the government’s rapid damage and needs assessment, 55 kilometers of roads and 37 motorable bridges were damaged due to the floods.
Even now, many displaced people in Rasuwa remain in relief camps located in Nuwakot and Kathmandu, as main road networks have not yet been reconnected. Mohan Acharya, Member of Parliament from Rasuwa, emphasized that roads remain the most urgent requirement in these areas.
Another major challenge is the relocation of people from over 7,500 damaged homes and the rehabilitation of approximately 33,000 affected individuals, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).
Preliminary estimates indicate that the floods caused damages exceeding NPR 40 billion and that reconstruction costs will surpass NPR 70 billion.
“In major disasters, the first three to four weeks are critical for search, rescue, and relief. We are now moving towards relocating people from camps to temporary housing. Such timelines are typical also in other countries,” said Anil Pokhrel, former Executive Director of the NDRRMA.
“The focus must now shift from relief and rescue to connecting electricity, communication, and transportation access up to Rasuwa, alongside providing temporary housing.”
Key Activities Completed So Far
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The National Disaster Authority reported that the flood that struck a month ago resulted in 1,453 deaths and 5,550 missing persons. The government declared the affected areas as disaster crisis zones for three months immediately after the flooding to initiate search, rescue, and relief efforts.
The government simultaneously appealed for financial contributions to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund on the day of the flood, successfully raising over NPR 1.5 billion.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah ‘Balen’ recently addressed the United Nations General Assembly to inform the international community about the damages Nepal is suffering due to climate-related disasters and sought further support.
Three days after the flood, officials discovered many bodies in severe decomposition, making identification impossible. They decided to conduct mass burials to enable families to find closure. Meanwhile, relatives of missing persons began performing ceremonies using symbolic images to mourn their losses.
The government faced criticism for delayed rescue efforts inside hydroelectric project tunnels and underground structures. On September 19 (the tenth day after flooding), two people were rescued alive from an underground powerhouse in a hydroelectric project. On the following day, another survivor was found inside a tunnel and one more was rescued from a flood-affected house. No further survivors have been found since then.
According to the Disaster Authority, search efforts for missing persons continue in the Upper Trishuli 1, A, and B areas.
Elsewhere, search and rescue operations have been completed. Initially, the government housed flood-affected people in 37 holding centers. Following a monthly rent assistance announcement of NPR 15,000 for four families per center, the population in the centers decreased, according to Disaster Authority Executive Chief Dharma Raj Upreti.
“Currently, there are 24 centers operating with roughly 1,300 residents,” he stated.
Remaining Tasks
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Although relief was promised for families of deceased and missing persons, officials reported delays due to technical issues.
To provide compensation to families of missing persons, the authority has initiated legal amendments to declare missing individuals as deceased or legally equivalent.
Furthermore, efforts continue to provide temporary housing initially and permanent housing subsequently for those displaced from their homes.
The authority has identified land and residential areas for rehabilitation and is preparing housing prototypes.
“This is a complete displacement; rebuilding in the same location is not possible. Considering this, we are addressing some technical challenges,” said Chief Upreti.
MP Mohan Acharya from Rasuwa stated that after the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli floods, a critical task is housing and relocating the displaced, but it remains a challenge to appropriately engage local communities and resettle them within their own vicinity.
“As seen after the earthquake, people showed little interest living in the newly constructed buildings. Without consulting local residents, rehabilitation efforts tend to be unsuccessful,” he added.
“It is not easy to ask people to settle in only one place given limited suitable land. Therefore, it is essential to resettle them near their places of origin to avoid livelihood problems.”
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Former authority head Anil Pokhrel noted that this rehabilitation effort poses even greater challenges than post-earthquake recovery.
“Since many settlements built after the earthquake yielded poor outcomes, livelihood support is needed. Space for cattle rearing and drying agricultural products like bhattis (biscuit-making) needs to be accounted for,” he explained.
“The new settlement planning authority remains unclear, but plans must consider at least 25 to 50 years ahead. The area must be considered within the context of economic corridors between India and China.”
The authority asserts that it is giving proper attention to these aspects.
“Discussions with local governments are underway to address cultural beliefs and the strong sentiment of ‘my place,’ which takes time,” Chief Upreti informed.
Experts emphasize that a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is essential for accurate damage evaluation and determining reconstruction costs. Following this, the government plans to convene a donor conference to seek international support.
Former authority head Anil Pokhrel stresses that Nepal should learn important lessons from this disaster and study risks and preventative measures applicable to other river systems.
Given that major hydroelectric projects exist in this region, he says comprehensive studies for their sustainable reconstruction are mandatory.
“Beyond roads, bridges, and settlements, careful planning is needed for sustainable rebuilding of hydroelectric facilities,” he remarked.
MP Mohan Acharya emphasized that people in the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli hydroelectric zones depend on these facilities for their livelihoods, and thus their reconstruction must be prioritized.
“Livelihoods in Rasuwa are mainly based on three pillars — hydroelectricity, tourism, and the international border. All these sectors require urgent reconstruction on the government’s priority list,” he stated.
Current Ongoing Efforts
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Authority chief Dharma Raj Upreti stated that work is currently underway to reconnect the road network up to Rasuwa.
“We are operating a bridge on Betravati and repairing 37 suspension bridges. Road repair efforts are progressing,” he added.
According to the authority, communication and electricity networks have been nearly fully restored.
Damage assessment remains ongoing, with data collection and evaluation in progress. DNA samples have been collected and are being tested from 1,329 recovered bodies and relatives of 2,035 missing persons.
Because the law requires a 10-year waiting period to officially declare missing persons deceased, Chief Upreti revealed that legal amendments are being pursued to allow immediate declarations.
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