KATHMANDU: The floods triggered by heavy rains on October 3 and 4 have caused significant damage to energy, water resources, and irrigation infrastructure across the country, with preliminary losses estimated in the millions of rupees, according to the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
Minister Kulman Ghising said damage to around 1,500 meters of embankment alone is estimated at Rs 100 million. In Jhapa district, the swollen Kankai River breached sections of the Postal Highway in Gaurigunj-2, inundating around 114 homes in Hoklabari. Floodwaters also submerged approximately 500 hectares of paddy fields. Additionally, a 200-meter section of embankment at Kuwadi in Jhapa Rural Municipality-2 was eroded, with estimated damages of Rs 7.5 million.
The Mechi River also caused losses of about Rs 5 million by damaging river spurs at several points. In Biratnagar, the Keshaliya River inundated areas, forcing 75 families to evacuate. Meanwhile, the eastern embankment of the Kamala River suffered damages amounting to approximately Rs 2.5 million.
In Rautahat, about 60 meters of the Lalbakaiya River’s right bank embankment were swept away, along with nearly 100 hectares of paddy fields. In Baudimai, another 120 meters of embankment were destroyed, leading to flooding of houses, sheds, and around 200 hectares of farmland, with damages totaling Rs 6 million.
The Ratu River in Mahottari washed away portions of its embankment, resulting in estimated losses of Rs 80 million. Minister Ghising noted that timely intervention prevented further damage to the irrigation system in the area.
Additionally, floodwaters from the Sunkoshi River inundated the under-construction barrage of the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Multipurpose Project.
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