The assessment highlights extensive damage to energy, transport, homes, agriculture and businesses, with long-term reconstruction accounting for most of the projected recovery costs.
Nepal’s government estimates that $4.74 billion will be needed for reconstruction and recovery after a devastating flood struck the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa on Bhadra 10.
The estimate is contained in a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report prepared by a joint technical team involving the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. Infrastructure was the worst-hit sector, with about $3.11 billion, or around 75 percent of total recovery needs, required for recovery.
The energy and road sectors suffered extensive damage. Thirteen hydropower projects with a combined capacity of 759 megawatts and five solar plants with a total capacity of 24 megawatts were affected. Restoring energy and grid systems alone is expected to cost $2.56 billion.
The floods damaged 69 kilometres of roads and swept away 33 motorable bridges, while four others sustained partial damage. Of 64 suspension bridges in the affected areas, 53 were damaged. Overall, about $481 million will be required to restore the affected transport infrastructure.
Homes and social infrastructure were also badly affected across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.
The assessment found that 7,570 private houses were damaged, along with 48 public buildings, 18 schools, seven health facilities and 30 cultural heritage sites. Recovery in the social sector is estimated at about $679 million.
The productive sector, including businesses, banks and agriculture, also suffered significant losses. The government estimates that around $333 million will be required for recovery. Flooding affected 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 17 bank branches and 4,800 commercial establishments.
Among 15 affected local governments across the five districts, Bidur Municipality in Nuwakot recorded the highest number of damaged homes, with 3,026 houses affected.
The report estimates that $621 million will be needed for disaster risk reduction and river management, while approximately $3.38 million will be required to manage mud, sediment and debris.
Nepal has divided the reconstruction plan into two phases. Immediate relief and short-term reconstruction over the next six months are estimated to cost about $57.3 million, while long-term reconstruction is expected to require around $4.69 billion.
The assessment highlights the scale of the damage caused by the Bhotekoshi flood and the substantial financial resources needed to restore infrastructure, livelihoods and essential services across the affected districts.
