KATHMANDU, Sept 4: A total of 7,570 government, public and private buildings have been destroyed in 15 local levels across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan by the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood. The preliminary estimate puts the cost of rebuilding the structures at at least Rs 10 billion.
A damage assessment committee led by Arjun Bhandari, joint secretary at the National Planning Commission, was formed to conduct a detailed assessment and collect data on the damage caused by the flood. The committee presented its findings at a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority on Tuesday.
According to the assessment, 1,779 houses were destroyed in Rasuwa. Of the four affected rural municipalities in the district, 1,043 houses were destroyed in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality, 567 in Uttargaya, 112 in Kalika and 57 in Aamachhodingmo.
In Nuwakot, 3,977 houses were destroyed. Among the two affected municipalities, 3,036 houses were destroyed in Bidur and 212 in Belkotgadhi, while 696 houses were destroyed in Kispang and 43 in Tarakeshwar rural municipalities.
All houses look similar in Sindhuli after reconstruction
Dhading reported 1,451 destroyed houses. Of the four affected rural municipalities, 1,037 houses were destroyed in Benighat Rorang, 107 in Gajuri, 79 in Galchhi and 228 in Siddhalekh.
In Gorkha, 263 houses were destroyed in two affected rural municipalities—248 in Gandaki Rural Municipality and 15 in Shahid Lakhan Rural Municipality. A total of 100 houses were destroyed in Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality of Chitwan.
According to Rabindra Bohara, director general of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction under the Ministry of Urban Development, at least Rs 10 billion will be required to rebuild the destroyed buildings. Of this, Rs 5 billion is estimated for rebuilding private buildings and another Rs 5 billion for government buildings, including schools and public buildings.
“This is the preliminary data we have prepared,” Bohara said. “We are collecting more detailed information.”
Flood victims whose homes were destroyed are currently staying at holding centers in different locations. The number of people staying at such centers has reached 3,400, with 25 holding centers established—16 in Nuwakot, four in Rasuwa, four in Dhading and one in Kathmandu.
The respective municipalities and rural municipalities are providing accommodation and food at the holding centers. The federal government and various organizations are also visiting the centers to distribute relief materials.
Meanwhile, the flood caused an estimated Rs 30 billion in damage to roads and bridges. The Department of Roads presented details of the damage at a press conference on Tuesday. Saying reconstruction work on damaged roads and bridges had already begun, department Director General Dr Vijay Jaisi said the government has given the highest priority for reconstruction.
According to Jaisi, at least 40 kilometers of roads were completely destroyed by the flood. Of the 41 bridges between the Friendship Bridge in Rasuwa and Malekhu Bridge in Dhading, 35 were damaged. Of these, 32 were completely destroyed and three sustained partial damage.
