Report on flood damage and loss of life

Abstract

Floods and landslides are among the most frequent natural disasters in Nepal. Steep land, heavy monsoon rain, weak soil and unplanned settlements make the country highly vulnerable. This report reviews the damage and loss of life caused by floods in different parts of Nepal, based on data from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, news reports, and field visits to flood-hit districts in the Terai, the hills and Kathmandu Valley. The records show that floods and related landslides kill hundreds of people each year and affect thousands of families. The Terai suffers from river flooding and inundation, the hills from landslides and flash floods, and the Valley from urban flooding. The losses include lives, houses, farmland, roads, bridges and livestock. The report recommends early warning, river training, land-use planning, better drainage, rehabilitation funds and community awareness.

Introduction

Nepal receives about 80 percent of its yearly rainfall between June and September. The rivers that flow from the Himalayas to the Indian plain carry large volumes of water and sediment, and they often overflow. In the Terai, floods of the Koshi, Narayani, Karnali and Rapti inundate villages and farmland. In the hills, cloudbursts cause flash floods and landslides. In recent years, rapid urbanisation has also increased the flood risk in cities, as seen in the September 2024 floods in Kathmandu Valley and central Nepal, which killed more than 200 people.

Although the government and local bodies carry out rescue and relief, the losses remain heavy, especially for the poor who live along riverbanks. A clear study of the damage in different regions is needed to plan better prevention. This report therefore aims to (1) describe the extent of the damage and loss of life in different regions, (2) identify the causes, and (3) recommend measures. The report covers the last ten years and is limited to the data available from official sources.

Recommendations

1. Early warning systems: install flood sensors and sirens on major rivers, and send alerts by mobile phone and radio.
2. River training and embankments: build and maintain embankments, and control the extraction of sand and gravel.
3. Land-use planning: prohibit building houses on riverbanks and flood plains, and enforce building codes.
4. Urban drainage: clean and widen drains, protect natural waterways, and avoid filling in wetlands.
5. Watershed management: plant trees and protect the forests in the hills to reduce runoff and landslides.
6. Preparedness: conduct community drills, prepare evacuation routes and shelters, and store food and medicine in advance.
7. Relief and rehabilitation: keep a disaster fund ready, provide quick compensation, and offer insurance schemes for farmers.
8. Coordination: the three tiers of government, the army and the police should share responsibilities as per the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2074.
9. Awareness: include disaster education in schools and the media.
10. Cooperation with India: share hydrological data and plan joint projects on cross-border rivers.