KATHMANDU: The agricultural sector suffered significant losses from the flash floods that struck the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system on August 26, with damage reported to crops, vegetables and livestock.
According to the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report jointly prepared by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the disaster had a major impact on paddy, vegetable farming and livestock.
The assessment shows that paddy fields covering 1,669 hectares were damaged by the floods, resulting in the loss of an estimated 5,843 tonnes of paddy production.
Total damage to agricultural crops has been estimated at Rs 1.09 billion (USD 7.22 million). The estimate includes damage to standing crops as well as the impact on production in subsequent seasons.
Similarly, vegetable production suffered losses after 137 hectares of farmland were affected, resulting in the loss of an estimated 1,843 tonnes of vegetables.
The affected local levels include Bidur, Likhu and Belkotgadhi in Nuwakot; Benighat Rorang, Gajuri, Siddhalek and Galchhi in Dhading; and Gandaki and Shahid Lakhan in Gorkha.
Bidur of Nuwakot was among the worst-affected areas, with 700 hectares of paddy fields damaged and a potential production loss of 2,450 tonnes. In Likhu, 230 hectares of paddy fields were affected, resulting in a loss of 805 tonnes, while 200 hectares were damaged in Belkotgadhi, with an estimated loss of 700 tonnes.
In Dhading, paddy farming was affected across 25 hectares in Benighat Rorang, 75 hectares in Gajuri, 58 hectares in Siddhalek and 87 hectares in Galchhi. The report also shows that 140 hectares of paddy fields in Gosaikunda and 143 hectares in Uttargaya of Rasuwa were affected.
In vegetable farming, Bidur in Nuwakot was the most severely affected area, with 98 hectares of vegetable crops damaged and an estimated potential production loss of 1,323 tonnes.
In Dhading, vegetable farming was affected across nine hectares in Benighat Rorang, seven hectares in Gajuri, two hectares in Siddhalek and 14 hectares in Galchhi.
Livestock sector suffers Rs 1.11 billion in losses
The livestock and poultry sector was also severely affected by the floods, causing substantial losses to farmers. Available data shows that 252,445 animals and birds were affected, with total financial losses estimated at Rs 1.11 billion.
Poultry accounted for the largest share in terms of the number of animals and birds affected, with around 214,827 birds impacted. Although poultry represented 85.1 percent of the total number of affected animals and birds, the financial losses from poultry accounted for only 4.8 percent of the total livestock-sector losses.
The financial impact was significantly greater for larger livestock. Losses involving 4,572 buffaloes were estimated at Rs 457.2 million, accounting for 41 percent of total livestock losses.
Similarly, losses involving goats and mountain goats (chyangra) amounted to Rs 391.3 million, or 35.1 percent of the total. Losses involving cows and oxen stood at Rs 179.2 million, representing 16.1 percent.
The data also shows losses of Rs 10.4 million involving other animals, Rs 19.6 million involving pigs and wild boars, Rs 2.5 million involving sheep, Rs 53.7 million in poultry losses and around Rs 100,000 involving other birds.
Combined, buffaloes, goats and mountain goats, and cows and oxen accounted for 92.3 percent of total livestock-sector losses.
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