KATHMANDU: The government has estimated that Rs 723.32 billion will be required for reconstruction and recovery following the devastating flood in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on August 26.
A Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report prepared by a joint technical team led by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority estimates that Rs 473.57 billion will be needed to restore the infrastructure sector alone. This accounts for around 75% of the total recovery requirement.
The transport infrastructure has suffered major damage. The flood damaged 69 kilometers of road sections and washed away 33 motorable bridges. Four other motorized bridges suffered partial damage.
Similarly, 53 of the 64 suspension bridges in the affected areas were damaged. The report estimates that Rs 73.34 billion will be required to restore the overall transport infrastructure.
The energy sector has also suffered significant losses. Thirteen hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 759 MW and five solar plants with a total capacity of 24 MW were affected.
The reconstruction of the energy and grid system is estimated to require Rs 390.62 billion.
The disaster also caused extensive damage to homes and public infrastructure. A total of 7,570 private houses were damaged across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.
The flood also damaged 48 public buildings, 18 schools, seven health facilities and 30 cultural heritage sites. The social sector will require an estimated Rs 103.55 billion for recovery.
The productive sector, including businesses, banks and agriculture, is estimated to need Rs 50.77 billion. The disaster affected 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 17 bank branches and around 4,800 business establishments.
Among the 15 affected local levels in the five districts, Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot recorded the highest number of damaged houses, with 3,026 homes affected.
The report has estimated Rs 94.75 billion for disaster risk reduction and river management. A further Rs 515.4 million will be required for the management of mud and debris.
The reconstruction plan has been divided into two phases. The government estimates that Rs 8.74 billion will be needed for immediate relief and short-term reconstruction within the next six months.
Long-term reconstruction is estimated to cost Rs 714.58 billion.
