Kathmandu: Recent floods, landslides and other climate-related disasters have caused preliminary damage estimated at Rs 227 billion to Nepal’s infrastructure, according to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
Padma Kumar Mainali, secretary at the ministry, presented the preliminary assessment at a meeting of the Parliamentary Special Committee on the Impact of Climate Change in the Himalayas, Climate Justice and the Bhotekoshi–Trishuli Disaster held at Singha Durbar.
According to Mainali, the government currently requires around Rs 63 billion for immediate reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
The preliminary assessment covers damage to housing, roads, bridges and drinking water and sanitation infrastructure across the affected areas.
Housing infrastructure has suffered the highest estimated loss. Damage to 7,570 private buildings and 48 public buildings has been estimated at Rs 103.54 billion.
Similarly, the road network has suffered an estimated Rs 20 billion in damage, while motorable bridges have sustained damage worth Rs 13.80 billion. Suspension bridges have incurred an estimated Rs 2.65 billion in damage.
The assessment puts damage to drinking water and sanitation infrastructure at Rs 87.87 billion.
Mainali said the overall damage amounts to approximately US$1.48 billion, equivalent to nearly Rs 227 billion, and that the scale of the destruction highlights the need for stronger international support under the principle of climate justice.
“According to the Ministry of Infrastructure Development’s preliminary assessment, damage to buildings, roads, motorable and suspension bridges and drinking water is estimated at Rs 227 billion,” Mainali said. He added that the figure was preliminary and that a more detailed assessment would provide the exact extent of the damage.
Mainali said the government has prioritised restoring transportation connectivity in the affected areas.
Of the 20 damaged suspension bridges, 12 have already been repaired, he said. Construction of a Bailey bridge is underway in the Betrawati area, while efforts are also being made to gradually restore road connectivity through Dhunche and Syafrubesi towards Rasuwagadhi.
According to Mainali, land has also been identified for the resettlement of disaster-affected families.
The government is preparing to construct around 300 transitional shelters for affected people, with the aim of providing temporary housing before Dashain.
Mainali said the ministry has been working on a war footing to restore connectivity, with the blocked Trishuli corridor and construction of the Bailey bridge among its immediate priorities.
He stressed that the scale of the destruction requires relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation to be implemented under a long-term plan rather than through short-term measures alone.
The government has sought Rs 63 billion for the initial phase of disaster response, reconstruction and rehabilitation, according to Mainali.
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