In the wake of last weekend's unprecedented floods, I have received countless messages of sympathy and support from friends near and far. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone standing in solidarity, for your commitment to helping flood victims and calling for an urgent response that recognizes these floods as part of the growing global climate crisis.
Many have asked about the scale of the impact and the status of international support, so in this blog, I aim to provide an overview of the devastation and how both national and international communities are responding.
Scale of the Impact
The full extent of the devastation caused by the unprecedented floods has yet to be assessed. The government of Nepal has established a special task force to evaluate the damage, with an initial report expected within the next two weeks.
However, based on preliminary estimates, the numbers are staggering:
- As of now, the death toll stands at 242, with 22 people still missing.
- The floods and landslides have affected 1,769 houses, and over 17,000 people have been evacuated with the assistance of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and local authorities.
- Infrastructure damage is immense: 55 bridges, 37 highways, 312 telecom sites, five major transmission lines, and 16 hydropower projects (with a combined capacity of 664 MW) have been severely impacted.
- The estimated preliminary economic loss stands at NPR 17 billion (~USD 126 million), but this figure could rise as the situation unfolds. This includes, the agriculture sector has been hit the hardest, with projected losses of NPR 6 billion (~USD 44.4 million), followed by the energy sector at NPR 4 billion (~USD 29.6 million), and significant losses in water supply, roads, and irrigation.
- The Nepal Telecommunications Authority has reported damages of around NPR 300 million (~USD 2.2 million) to telephone and internet service providers due to the continuous rainfall, floods, and landslides.
This infographs from Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority as of 3rd October 2024 provoides full overview of impacts.
Domestic Response
The National Disaster Management Executive Committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs has announced several relief measures for families affected by the floods:
- NPR 200,000 (~USD 1,485) will be provided to the families of those killed or missing in the floods and landslides.
- Temporary shelters are being arranged for those in need, and families of missing persons will receive compensation after ten days of being unaccounted for.
While the federal, provincial, and local governments, alongside organizations like the Red Cross, have mobilized immediate response efforts, there have been complaints from some victims that aid has not reached them. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for to make the relief efforts more effective and to also focus in all location across the country.
Meanwhile, private sector efforts have emerged to assist those in need. The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) has pledged NPR 1 crore (~USD 75,000), while Bhatbhateni, Nepal’s largest supermarket chain, has donated NPR 1 crore 11 lakh, alongside food worth NPR 80 lakh (~USD 142,000). Other organizations, such as the Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce (~ US$ 742) and Industry and Citizens Bank (~ US$ 18,500), have also contributed to the Prime Minister's Disaster Relief Fund.
International Response
Nepal has also reached out to the international community for assistance. Minister for Women, Children and Senior Citizen, Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, as Chairperson of the Social Welfare Council, has appealed to international NGOs for aid.
So far, the international response includes:
- The Red Cross Society of China has donated USD 100,000 to the Nepal Red Cross Society.
- The British Embassy in Nepal has pledged £400,000 through Start Fund Nepal to meet immediate needs such as food, health services, and protection for the most affected.
- Embassy of Switzerland has announced CHF 400,000 for urgent relief to flood victims to ensure clean water, sanitation, food, disease control, and supporting the restoration of 120 micro-businesses.
While many embassies and missions in Kathmandu have yet to publicly announce aid, some have issued advisories for their citizens, though no direct assistance has been pledged. Despite these efforts, there has been criticism regarding the speed and scale of the international response. Given the magnitude of the disaster, the aid provided so far has not met the level of need.
Call for global solidarity
This disaster, one of the worst in Nepal’s recent history, starkly highlights the increasing frequency of climate-induced catastrophes worldwide. While some areas have been hit the hardest, the compounding effects of unplanned urban and rural development, along with governance challenges, have likely compounded the impacts. However, there is no doubt that the trigger for this devastation was unprecedented rainfall over a short period, which aligns with what IPCC reports confirm: every degree of warming will lead to an exponential increase in floods and extreme rainfall across the country.
While domestic efforts are underway, the scale of destruction demands a coordinated and immediate international response, in line with global climate obligations. The national government’s role is crucial in ensuring that relief reaches those in need, but the international community must also step up with both immediate aid and long-term support. Nepal requires not only immediate financial and logistical assistance but also a sustained commitment from global partners to build resilience against future climate disasters. I believe that the time to act is now. Together, we can help Nepal recover from this tragedy and better prepare for the challenges ahead.
Photo: Nepal Armed Police Force, and NDRRMA.
