Disaster related reconstruction to cost over Rs.101 billion

Kathmandu, Jan. 15:The government has set a target of completing the reconstruction of the physical infrastructures damaged by the recent monsoon and the devastation caused by the 2023 earthquake in Jajarkot and other districts within two and a half years.

The earthquake in Doti in 2022 affected five districts, while the quake in Jajarkot in Kartik in 2023 impacted 12 districts. Similarly, the monsoon disasters of this season 2024 affected 20 districts.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the 2022 earthquake (6.6 magnitude) in Doti caused damage in Doti, Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, and Dadeldhura districts.

Detailed Damage Assessment (DDA) for the Doti earthquake has been completed, and private housing reconstruction will begin on January 15, 2025. 

According to Joint Secretary Bhisma Kumar Bhusal at the NDRRMA, of the 9,682 households identified as affected in the five districts, 2,637 need to be reconstructed while 6,624 require retrofitting in Doti and four other districts of Sudurpaschim Province.

The government will provide Rs. 500,000 for housing construction in mountain districts, Rs. 400,000 in hilly districts, and Rs. 300,000 in Terai districts, according to Bhusal. 

Agreements for the first installment will start on January 15, 2025, in the districts affected by the Doti earthquake, said Joint Secretary Bhusal.  Local governments will coordinate reconstruction efforts in these areas, he said. 

The 2023 Jajarkot earthquake affected 91,862 households across 12 districts, including Rukum West, Salyan, Bajhang, Bajura, Jumla, Rukum East, Rolpa, Baitadi, Kalikot, Pyuthan and Dang. However, he said the DDA for the Jajarkot earthquake is yet to be conducted. 

Recent monsoon disaster impacts 20 districts

The monsoon disasters of this season (2024) affected Kavrepalanchok, Udayapur, Lalitpur, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Panchthar, Ilam, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Chitwan, Dolakha, Dhading, Makwanpur, Mahottari, Ramechhap, Sindhupalchok, Sindhuli, Siraha, Solukhumbu and Saptari districts.

Bagmati Province suffered the most damage from floods and landslides, with Kavre alone experiencing damages in 9,414 households. Preliminary data (DDA yet to be completed) shows that monsoon disasters caused damage to 19,771 houses across 20 districts.

Damage to roads, bridges, and transport 

According to the authority, the earthquakes in western Nepal damaged 32 roads and bridges, while monsoon disasters damaged 349, totaling 381 damaged infrastructures. Bagmati Province requires the most reconstruction, with 260 roads and bridges needing attention, including 55 bridges, 28 highway sections, 171 provincial and local roads and a six-foot trail. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development will oversee the reconstruction of roads and bridges, according to Joint Secretary Bhusal. Earthquake and monsoon-related disasters damaged 176 government buildings and urban infrastructures. 

Significant damages occurred in energy, water resources and irrigation systems. According to the preliminary report of the government, 2,007 projects related to energy, water resources and irrigation projects had been affected by monsoon disasters and 112 by earthquakes. 

A total of 1562 Educational infrastructures, 90 health institutions and 813 water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects were also affected during the time. Additionally, 33 archaeological sites were damaged.

Eight key areas on priority for reconstruction 

The government has prioritised roads, bridges, transport, government buildings, urban infrastructure, electricity, alternative energy, irrigation, private housing, educational infrastructure, health infrastructure, water, sanitation, hygiene and cultural and archaeological heritage for reconstruction.

According to Joint Secretary Bhushal, the estimated cost of reconstruction is Rs. 101.12 billion. Of this, 30 per cent (Rs. 30.57 billion) will be spent in the remaining six months of this fiscal year, 40 per cent (Rs. 40.41 billion) in the fiscal year 2025/26, and 30 per cent (Rs. 30.15 billion) in the fiscal year 2026/27).

The 16th meeting of the National Council for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, held on Sunday this week, approved the reconstruction and rehabilitation plan following the western Nepal earthquakes and 2024/25 monsoon disasters. The authority said that approval of the plan has made it easier to move forward with reconstruction efforts.