Attachments
Executive Summary
This Preliminary Loss and damage Assessment of the September 2024 flood and landslides provides an initial findings of the loss and damage caused by the floods and landslides that occurred during 26 to 28 September 2024, presenting an analysis of the damage across multiple sectors. The total estimated loss is NPR 46,684,318,550 reflecting significant disruptions to physical infrastructure sector, social sectors, and the productive sector, highlighting the urgent need for recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Physical Infrastructure Losses
The assessment of physical infrastructures indicates an estimated economic loss of NPR 38,923,435,000. The breakdown of losses by infrastructure type is as follows:
Roads and Highways: The infrastructure damage includes 41 road sections, contributing to an estimated total complete repair and maintainence cost of NPR 27,980,000,000. Blocked or damaged roads hinder transportation and supply chains, complicating relief efforts and economic recovery.
Hydropower: Damage to 26 hydropower facilities has resulted in an estimated loss of NPR 3,018,000,000. This loss has significant implications for energy supply, impacting both residential and industrial consumers.
Telecommunications: Damage to 446 telecommunication units has resulted in a loss of NPR 152,305,000. This disruption impacts communication networks, crucial for emergency response and recovery operations.
Water Supply and Sanitation: The destruction of 1678 federal and provincial water supply and sanitation systems has led to an estimated loss of NPR 5,906,000,000. This loss not only affects access to clean water but also poses health risks, particularly in the wake of disasters that often exacerbate waterborne diseases.
Bridges: A total of 44 bridges sustained damage, resulting in an estimated financial loss of NPR 1,042,000,000. The damage to these bridges severely hampers connectivity, affecting transportation and logistics in the region.
Social Sector Impact
The social sector has experienced profound impacts, particularly in housing and human settlements. As per initial reports, 5,996 houses were fully destroyed, while 13,049 were partially destroyed. This destruction has displaced 10,807 families, impacting a total of 16,243 individuals who are now living in public shelters and facing challenges in finding basic amenities. In the health sector 6 were fully destroyed and 43 health facilities were partially destroyed, which limits access to essential medical services during a critical time when health needs are heightened due to potential post-disaster health crises. The education sector has not been spared either, with 6 schools completely destroyed and 136 schools partially damaged, further disrupting education for countless children.
The preliminary assessment of human impact across multiple districts reveals significant casualties and widespread need for rescue operations. A total of 249 deaths, 178 injuries, and 18 missing persons have been reported, with the highest fatalities occurring in Dhading, Kavre, and Lalitpur districts. Rescue efforts have been substantial, with over 17,000 individuals rescued and more than 14,800 police personnel deployed across affected areas. Kathmandu Valley, along with several districts in the Koshi, Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces, saw the most extensive police operations. These figures highlight the scale of both the human toll and the mobilization of resources to address the ongoing crisis.
Productive Sector Losses
The productive sector, especially agriculture and livestock, has incurred substantial losses. The assessment indicates that 65,380 hectares of agricultural land have been affected, alongside 26,698 livestock, resulting in an estimated economic loss of NPR of 5,882,812,500. This significant impact on agriculture threatens food security and the livelihoods of farmers, who rely heavily on their land and livestock for income. Additionally, 7 irrigation projects have been affected, leading to a loss of NPR 1,350,000,000. The destruction of irrigation infrastructure jeopardizes crop yields and exacerbates the agricultural crisis in the aftermath of the disasters. In summary, the cumulative economic loss from these disasters total NPR 7,150,000,000 highlighting the critical need for immediate action. Restoring infrastructure, providing support for displaced populations, and revitalizing the economy must be prioritized in recovery efforts. This assessment underscores the vulnerabilities of the affected sectors and the importance of comprehensive disaster preparedness and resilience-building measures to mitigate future risks.