Cost of non-compliance: Billions worth infrastructure damaged, death toll rises to 169

Lack of serious disaster preparedness, non-compliance, and timely rescue has cost the country billions.  

Flood and landslide caused by incessant rainfall that started on Thursday afternoon has damaged infrastructure, including roads, bridges, hydropower projects, power lines and buildings, worth billions, whereas some 169 people also lost their lives.

The death toll from disaster-related incidents across the country has reached 169, according to the Home Ministry.  In addition to the loss of lives, the infrastructure damage is also extensive due to inaction of the government.

According the World Bank, the government's disaster-related expenditures between 2012 and 2020 amounted to over $3.8 billion (Rs 451.45 billion), or an annual average of about $430 million (Rs 50 billion). However, this year's disaster-related expenditures might be double the annual average to around $800 million. 

According to Armed Police Force (APF) under Home Ministry, some 60 others are injured, while 54 are missing. "Floods and landslides triggered by incessant rain since Thursday afternoon damaged 322 houses and 16 bridges across the country," the APF reported.

The three districts in the Valley — Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur — recorded some 79 deaths, with 52 in Kathmandu alone. The Southern part of Lalitpur district is still cut-off with the rest of the district due to landslide and electricity outage, due to heavy downpour. 

Likewise, Kathmandu Valley is cut-off with the rest of the country due to landslide and flood-caused bridge and road damage. The vehicles are seen on the highways that lead to the Kathmandu Valley.

The eastern entry point to the Kathmandu Valley, Banepa, is obstructed due to road damage on BP Highway, whereas the western entry point to the Kathmandu Valley, Thankot, is obstructed due to landslide and road damage in Naubise. The security forces are, however, working hard to clear the roads following to western entry point, Thankot, for emergency rescue operations also.

Likewise, some 66 deaths were reported in Bagmati Province, excluding the Kathmandu Valley.

Koshi and Madhesh Provinces recorded some 21 and three deaths, respectively, the report stated, adding that no fatalities have been recorded in the other four provinces. But Butwal, in the Lumbini Province, was flooded that halted transportation.