Bhote Koshi Flood Debris Removal And Disaster Risk Reduction Alone Estimated To Cost NPR 95.42 Arba

Removing debris left by the devastating Bhote Koshi flood and carrying out disaster risk reduction and inclusive rehabilitation work is estimated to cost around NPR 95.42 arba, according to the government’s Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report.

The assessment was prepared by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. It estimates the money required for immediate and long term work following the flood, including removing stones, soil, sand and debris from damaged buildings, reducing future disaster risks and supporting rehabilitation.

The NPR 95.42 arba estimate does not represent the total cost of rebuilding everything damaged by the flood. It specifically covers work placed under the report’s cross cutting sector, including debris management, disaster risk reduction and inclusive rehabilitation.

The amount is significant compared with Nepal’s annual government spending. It is equal to roughly 4.5 percent of Nepal’s NPR 2.124 trillion federal budget for the current fiscal year.

Damaged Buildings Leave NPR 48.24 Arba In Debris

According to the assessment, debris from buildings damaged by the flood is valued at around NPR 48.24 arba.

This includes approximately NPR 2 arba worth of soil debris. The report estimates that removing this soil debris alone could cost more than NPR 30 crore.

The work involves clearing stones, soil, sand and building materials left across flood affected areas. Such debris must be removed to restore settlements, roads, waterways and other damaged areas and allow reconstruction work to move forward safely.

However, the scale of the destruction means the work will take time.

The assessment estimates that only around 31.1 percent of building debris, stone and soil removal work can be completed within the first six months.

Disaster Risk Reduction Requires Major Work

The assessment also includes measures designed to reduce the danger of further floods, landslides and other disasters.

This work covers clearing debris from waterways, river management, protecting settlements, developing command areas, controlling riverbank erosion and landslides, restoring irrigation systems and developing multi hazard early warning systems.

The report estimates hundreds of millions of rupees will be required for disaster risk reduction measures, with both immediate and longer term spending planned.

Despite the need for this work, progress during the first six months is expected to be limited. The report estimates that only 0.4 percent of the planned disaster risk reduction management work can be completed during that period.

Around NPR 6.60 arba is expected to be spent on immediate debris removal and disaster risk reduction work during the first six months.

NPR 15 Crore Needed For Inclusive Rehabilitation

The assessment has also placed importance on ensuring that reconstruction and rehabilitation address the needs of people who face greater risks after disasters.

Around NPR 15 crore is estimated to be required for immediate inclusive rehabilitation during the first six months.

The money will support rehabilitation and reconstruction that considers the needs of marginalized and vulnerable communities, including women, children, elderly people, persons with disabilities and other groups facing higher risks.

Unlike some of the larger debris removal and disaster reduction projects, the report indicates that inclusive rehabilitation and reconstruction work has the possibility of being completed within the six month immediate recovery period.

Infrastructure Recovery Needs NPR 67.42 Arba Immediately

Beyond debris and risk reduction, the flood has created major immediate recovery needs across Nepal’s infrastructure.

The assessment estimates that around NPR 67.42 arba will be required immediately for the infrastructure sector.

This includes recovery work involving hydropower and the electricity grid, domestic renewable energy, roads, bridges, communication systems, sanitation, drinking water, irrigation and river systems.

Damage to this infrastructure has affected essential services, transport and economic activity in flood affected areas, making restoration a major part of the immediate recovery effort.

Social Sector Needs NPR 8.29 Arba

The government estimates that another NPR 8.29 arba will be needed immediately for recovery in the social sector.

This includes private houses, public buildings and facilities, schools, health services and cultural sites affected by the disaster.

Restoring these areas will be important not only for rebuilding physical structures but also for allowing affected communities to return to normal services such as education and healthcare.

Production Sector Requires Around NPR 5 Arba

The flood has also affected agriculture and other sources of income.

According to the assessment, around NPR 5 arba will be required for the immediate recovery of the production sector.

The money is expected to support agriculture, fisheries, livestock, banking, economic activities and livelihoods affected by the flood.

Damage to these sectors can continue affecting families even after floodwaters disappear because businesses, farms and other sources of income may take months or years to fully recover.

Recovery Expected To Take Years

The assessment shows that the immediate challenge following the Bhote Koshi flood goes beyond simply removing visible debris.

Large amounts of money will be required to clear damaged areas, protect settlements and rivers, restore essential infrastructure, rebuild social services and help people restore their livelihoods.

With only around 31.1 percent of debris removal expected to be completed within six months and an even smaller share of disaster risk reduction work expected during that period, much of the recovery will require longer term planning and investment.

The NPR 95.42 arba estimated for debris management, disaster risk reduction and inclusive rehabilitation alone highlights the scale of the work facing Nepal as authorities move from emergency response toward rehabilitation and reconstruction.