Nepal: Floods and Landslides - Jul 1993

Continuing severe monsoon rains over eastern and central Nepal caused numerous flashfloods and landslides. More rain is expected. Four areas so far most affected: mountain areas (Taplejung, Pantcher), hilly areas (Dhading, Makwanpur, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Okhaldhu Nga, Palpa), Kathmandu valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur), Terai lowlands (Rautahat, Sirahna, Chitwan, Dhanusa, Sharlahi). Total affected population 1,500,000 persons. Reported dead 347, missing 445, injured 70. Information still incomplete due to disruption of transport and communications links, but so far 28 village development committees report their villages completely flooded. Both highways between Kathmandu and the rest of the country are blocked by landslides, 16 bridges collapsed. Kathmandu international airport is operational but weather conditions severely affecting traffic of light aircraft and helicopters. Kulekhani hydropower station damaged, resulting in serious power shortages. Bagmati barrage (Sarlahi district) and related irrigation system severely damaged and dam under construction at Manohari (Makawanpur district) washed away. (UN DHA, 23 Jul 1993)

Latest data from Govt indicate: 886 dead, 182 injured and 859 missing. Rains are decreasing in districts affected so far, but no. Of districts affected may grow. UN missions underway to assess in particular health and water situation. Accessibility still a problem. (UN DHA, 26 Jul 1993)

Overall climatic situation improving but more landslides and flash floods might occur during the monsoon period normally lasting until September. Thirty-two districts affected of which most severely: Panchthar, Sharlahi, Sindhuli, Makawanpur, Chitawan, Rautahat. Latest data released by govt indicate 929 dead, 867 missing 200 injured. Housing: 1,863 destroyed, 144 damaged, 10,625 submerged. Preliminary report on loss of cropped area: 5,381 ha. (UN DHA, 30 Jul 1993)

Monsoon rains continue, but the water level in most rivers has returned to normal. Many remote regions can still not be reached. Severe damage to or destruction of villages has left thousands of people without shelter. Many of those are still in camps, schools and other emergency accommodation. Health assessment done by USAID/WHO/indicates some villages still covered by water in Sharlahi district. Number of dead may exceed figures reported so far. Donor group carried out field visits in affected areas and reports shortage of relief supplies, shelter and latrines. Both roads linking Kathmandu with the most affected southern part of the country and with India are cut. National army and police continue clearing highways. […] Damage to large areas of agricultural land in the south, where fields are covered with layers of up to one metre of sand, will have serious effects on the production. Crops are totally destroyed in most of the affected areas and reclaiming of land is not expected to be possible for several seasons. (UN DHA, 3 Aug 1993)

Latest Govt data indicate: 36 districts affected (of which 8 hardest hit: Panchthar, Taplejung, Kavrepalan-Chowk, Sharlahi, Sindhuli, Makawanpur, Chitawan and Rautahat). Casualties: 972 dead, 786 missing, 268 injured. Houses: destroyed 1,863, damaged 144, submerged 10,625. Village development committees coordinating relief: at least 144 (each with approx. 3,000-4,000 persons). Initial est. Of damage: over USD 204 million. Preliminary est. Crop losses: 15,432 ha. Plus thousands of ha. Each in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts. Full assessment still awaited from Makawanpur. Approx. 18,000 cattle killed just in Sarlahi, Rautahat and Chitwan districts. Cattle diseases spreading. 9 irrigation schemes damaged. (loss: approx. USD 7,980,000). […] More landslides/flash floods may occur before monsoon season ends in September. (UN DHA, 9 Aug 1993)

UN Disaster Management Team estimates that 553,000 persons in 35 districts are affected. After temporary improvements, recent rains again hampering access to remote areas. Total loss now estimated at more than USD 200,000,000. Rehabilitation exceeds capacities of country and international appeal for funding of longer term rehabilitation programme is expected. Negotiations with world bank have started. (UN DHA, 25 Aug 1993)