Bhotekoshi reconstruction needs nearly Rs 650 billion, agricultural damage assessment underway

The government has made a preliminary estimate that $4.70 billion to $4.75 billion will be needed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of areas affected by the Rasuwa-Bhotekoshi disaster.

At Nepal Rastra Bank's buying rate for today, this amounts to roughly Rs 714 billion to Rs 721 billion.

Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment spokesperson Dr Maheshwar Dhakal gave this information on Wednesday at a meeting of the National Assembly's special committee held at Singha Durbar.

He said the amount could rise further once non-economic losses are added, and that a detailed official assessment would be made public later.

Dhakal said about $57 million alone would be needed for immediate rehabilitation, and that the government alone would not be able to arrange this amount.

The international Loss and Damage Fund has given Nepal an opportunity to submit a proposal for about $20 million. The proposal will be prepared once a letter arrives from the fund's secretariat.

Ministry Secretary Dr Rajendra Prasad Mishra said damage to crops, livestock and poultry, aquatic life, washed-away land, and biodiversity is being assessed under separate headings.

He said estimating the economic damage to fish and other aquatic life in the Trishuli corridor is challenging.

Crop damage will be included in the National Planning Commission's report.

Committee chair Krishna Prasad Paudel has asked for ward-wise damage details from the 49 affected wards.

The committee is preparing to conduct on-site monitoring only after it receives these details.