KATHMANDU: The floods and landslides triggered by relentless rains last Thursday and Friday have inflicted immense pain and suffering on affected communities.
Initial reports estimate damages from these disasters to be approximately Rs 17 billion across 21 districts, with ongoing assessments likely to reveal even higher figures.
According to Chief Secretary Ek Narayan Aryal, 21 districts have been impacted, with Kavrepalanchowk, Lalitpur, Dhading, Kathmandu, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, and Makwanpur experiencing the most severe destruction.
The release of water from the Kulekhani Reservoir has further exacerbated the situation, tragically resulting in the deaths of six students from the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) Academy in Makwanpur.
Preliminary estimates indicate that the destruction of roads and bridges alone has reached Rs 2.5 billion, with five concrete bridges and two temporary bridges rendered unusable by floodwaters.
As of now, the floods have claimed 224 lives, with 24 people still missing and 158 injured.
Chief Secretary Aryal reported that 4,331 individuals identified as being at high risk have been rescued and relocated to safety.
Meanwhile, farmers have lost their ripening paddy crops, and many vegetable fields that provided sustenance year-round have been destroyed.
Major highways, once vital for travel, have suffered severe damage, and entire settlements have been swept away by the rushing waters.
Some individuals have succumbed to famine as their investments were obliterated in an instant.
This recent deluge has been particularly devastating, far surpassing the impact of past calamities.
The BP Highway remains in disrepair, with no clear timeline for restoration, and the conditions of the Prithvi and Tribhuvan highways are dire.
Kalimati and Balkhu markets, essential food suppliers for the capital, are still struggling to resume regular operations.
With limited access to transportation, residents are forced to walk long distances in search of food.
Despite warnings from the Weather Forecasting Division, many lives have been lost due to hunger and the effects of the floods.
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