Bhote Koshi Flood: Losses of 79 Billion to Households and Businesses

KATHMANDU:- The flood in the Bhote Koshi River in Rasuwa has caused damages amounting to Rs 79.17 billion across households, businesses, and establishments.

According to preliminary findings from a survey on households and establishments—released by the National Planning Commission—damages to households total Rs 69.57 billion, while damages to businesses and establishments amount to Rs 9.60 billion.

According to the survey, preliminary data on economic losses indicate that 54.65 hectares of land—owned by the residents and containing their homes—have sustained damage. This includes losses amounting to Rs 13.26 billion for the land (house plots) and Rs 11.95 billion for the cost of house construction.

Due to the floods, 507.97 hectares of land owned by 3,610 families have been affected, resulting in a loss valued at Rs 35.44 billion. Additionally, crops planted on the farmlands of 2,951 families have been damaged, amounting to a loss of Rs 232.1 million.

Similarly, damage to food stocks held by 1,876 families has resulted in a loss amounting to Rs 104.1 million. Regarding livestock and poultry, 1,011 families have suffered losses—including livestock, poultry, and fish—valued at Rs 214.2 million.

According to the Commission, 1,115 families have suffered losses amounting to Rs 1.24 billion regarding vehicles. Furthermore, 2,330 families have incurred losses totaling Rs 5.002 billion concerning valuable, cultural, and archaeological items. The floods also caused damage to durable household goods, with 3,187 families losing assets worth Rs 1.45 billion. Additionally, 2,769 families have suffered losses amounting to Rs 663.5 million regarding non-durable household items.

According to the Commission, the floods affected a total of 6,817 families, 32,872 individuals, and 499 establishments. The number of residential structures that sustained complete damage stands at 2,989.

Regarding affected households, the figures are 948 in Dhading, 108 in Gorkha, 3,841 in Nuwakot, and 1,920 in Rasuwa. Furthermore, in terms of establishments, 104 were affected in Dhading, 15 in Gorkha, 323 in Nuwakot, and 57 in Rasuwa.

Staff were deployed for the survey equipped with online apps and tablets. A total of 58 teams and 156 personnel were mobilized across 15 local levels in four districts.