Need For Building Resilient Structures

As Nepal’s festival season approaches and people prepare to celebrate Dashain and Tihar, a wave of melancholy has swept over the country instead of the usual festive mood. This year’s rains have wreaked havoc, with heavy rainfall beginning on September 26 and lasting until September 28, triggering widespread floods and landslides. According to the latest data of the Home Ministry, 218 people have been reported dead due to rain-related incidents, over 3,000 have been rescued, and more than 27 are still missing.

This year, even the Kathmandu Valley has borne the brunt of the disaster, with floods and landslides causing severe damage. Many homes in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur have been submerged in water, and all major highways connecting the valley were closed due to damaged roads and bridges. Several sections of major highways have been washed away, cutting off the national capital for days. Slowly, some roads are being reopened, allowing deliveries to resume. Reports indicate that the Kathmandu Valley experienced record rainfall on September 28, 2024, with nearly 240 mm of rain in just 24 hours—breaking the previous record set in 2002.

Economic impact

The economic impact of the disaster has been substantial. The Nepal government estimates the initial property loss from the rains at approximately NPR 25 billion, primarily in damaged government infrastructure, roads, and bridges. However, these figures are expected to rise as further assessments are conducted, particularly in the rural regions that remain isolated due to destroyed road networks. Many areas still remain inaccessible, preventing a full evaluation of the extent of the damage. Also addition of damages of private property, destruction of agricultural produces and industrial damages is bound to increase the monetary loss. 

In addition to the economic burden, the government faces immense challenges in mobilising disaster relief efforts. While the army and police have been deployed to assist with rescue and relief operations, their effectiveness is hampered by outdated equipment and inadequate training. Although the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has been operational for years, and international support has been provided, the system still seems unprepared and ineffective when disaster strikes. Reports reveal that the security forces often rely on traditional, manual methods to reach affected areas, which significantly delays the delivery of much-needed assistance. NDRRMA needs to make sure that every ward all over Nepal is equipped in the local manner to address the immediate support system when disaster hits. 

Experts argue that the frequent large-scale loss of life and property during natural disasters stems from deep-rooted structural issues. Chief among these is, poor coordination between the three tiers of government — local, provincial, and federal — and inadequate enforcement of building codes, particularly in urban areas. Despite the presence of disaster response frameworks, many communities are ill-equipped to handle emergencies. A lack of public awareness also compounds the problem, with many Nepalis failing to heed early warnings or take preventive measures seriously.

In addition to infrastructure damage, such as roads and bridges, the educational sector has also been hit hard. According to a report published by Save the Children on September 30, 2024, the current floods and landslides have claimed the lives of 14 children and disrupted schooling. The report highlights the harsh impact of climate change on children, especially in Asia. In Nepal, 54 schools have been damaged, affecting over 11,000 students. Exams have been postponed, and schools in flood-affected areas were closed for three days.

The destruction of schools poses a long-term threat to Nepal’s future development. When children are forced out of school, they not only lose access to education but also face increased risks of child labour, trafficking, and exploitation. This is particularly concerning for families from low-income and marginalised backgrounds, who are disproportionately affected by disasters. Women and girls, in particular, are at heightened risk of violence, trafficking, and exploitation in the aftermath of disasters when social safety nets are weakened.

As disaster strikes, the most vulnerable populations bear the worst consequences, with long-term impacts that are difficult to remedy. Although the Nepal government has announced monetary support for the families of those who died, accessing these funds and rebuilding damaged infrastructure is challenging. Farmers and those with small landholdings are particularly hard-hit, and children from these families are often pulled out of school. Additionally, women and girls face an increased risk of violence, especially in unsafe shelter arrangements.

Coordinated response system

The need for stronger disaster preparedness cannot be overstated. It is essential to establish a more coordinated response system, ensuring that local, provincial, and federal authorities work together seamlessly when disaster strikes. This also includes building a culture of resilience among communities, promoting education and awareness about disaster risk reduction, and enforcing stricter building codes to minimise the damage caused by future calamities. Equally important is the need to prioritise the welfare of vulnerable groups —children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities — during disaster recovery efforts.

Nepal is no stranger to natural disasters, from earthquakes to landslides and floods. Each disaster serves as a reminder of the country’s vulnerability to nature’s forces. However, with proper planning, investment in infrastructure, and improved governance, the damage caused by these events can be mitigated. The road to resilience may be long, but with a concerted effort from the government, civil society, and the international community, Nepal can better prepare for the challenges that lie ahead.

(Sharma is a senior journalist and women rights advocate namrata1964@yahoo.com Twitter handle: @amrataSharmaP)