Almost two weeks after the flash floods, the Nepali government is gradually gearing up for rehabilitation and reconstruction. According to a preliminary assessment under the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), approximately 7,570 houses—affecting around 32,933 people—and 48 government offices were impacted. The floods swept away 55 kilometers of roads and damaged 37 motorable bridges along with 68 suspension bridges.
Additionally, around 1,806 hectares of agricultural land, 13 hydropower projects, one solar power plant, and two transmission lines suffered damage, affecting a total of 783 MW of hydropower generation capacity. Fifty-five drinking water projects, alongside numerous health and educational institutions, were also damaged. For now, the government is focusing on two main priorities:
Temporary shelter: Preparing to unveil a plan to build temporary shelters for displaced individuals currently staying in holding centers across flood-affected districts.
Infrastructure repair: Opening temporary road tracks and installing Bailey bridges to restore public movement and transport networks.
While the government can initially draw from the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, domestic resources will be insufficient for long-term recovery due to the country's struggling economy.
Funding the recovery
Nepal may organize an international donors' conference, similar to the one following the 2015 earthquake. Back then, Nepal secured $4.1 billion in pledges, with major contributions coming from India, China, Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
While these same nations are expected to support post-flood recovery efforts, the process this time is far more complex:
Land loss & relocation: Following the 2015 earthquake, the government adopted an owner-led approach, providing seed money of NPR 300,000 for permanent house reconstruction and NPR 25,000 for temporary shelters. However, flood victims have lost the land itself.
Resettlement challenges: Ministers suggest that families living along riverbanks should be relocated to safer grounds to avoid future flood risks. However, residents who own land near riverbanks may be reluctant to leave.
Livelihood priorities: Once road tracks reopen, many victims are likely to return to run their local shops, hotels, and businesses. As seen after the 2015 earthquake, survivors often prioritize rebuilding their livelihoods over basic shelter, which previously left several government-built integrated settlements empty.
Securing foreign aid may also prove challenging, as major donor nations are currently prioritizing defense budgets and global conflicts. However, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s upcoming visit to New York for the UN General Assembly offers a timely opportunity to engage world leaders and highlight Nepal’s urgent recovery needs.