The Nepali government has decided to end search and rescue operations launched after the devastating floods that struck the country on August 26. The decision was made as hopes of finding survivors have faded, according to the Prime Minister's Secretariat. Forty days after the floods in the Bhotekoshi and Trishuli rivers devastated communities and infrastructure, the government has prioritized reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
A total of 1,455 people have been confirmed dead and 5,285 remain missing following the disaster, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The floods struck the Nepal-Tibet border, causing widespread destruction. Several South Africans are still missing, including Surendranath Maharaj, 74, and Anita Devi Maharaj, 67, from Ladysmith; Bavila Ramjee, 43, from East London; Vivaganathan Pillay, 66, and Janet Pillay, 56, from another part of South Africa; and Terricia Govender, 33, from Isipingo Beach.
The decision to end search and rescue operations was based on recommendations from district security committees, district disaster management committees, the Executive Committee of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and findings from field inspections. The government will now focus on reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, with a budget of NPR 559.18 billion ($3.62 billion) allocated for 504 plans and programmes.
According to the Rapid Disaster Needs Assessment (RDNA) report, the recent floods are estimated to have caused physical damage worth NPR 274.48 billion, while overall losses and damages have reached NPR 408.28 billion. The preliminary assessment suggests that more than NPR 723 billion will be required for the reconstruction and recovery of affected infrastructure and assets.
The Nepali government is working on a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment with an extensive assessment of damages. The council directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority to recommend additional budgetary arrangements once details are received for projects whose cost estimates have not yet been determined or which have yet to be prioritized.
Prime Minister Balendra Shah said disaster management efforts had been carried out through coordination among the federal, provincial and local governments, adding that reconstruction and rehabilitation would also proceed through the same mechanism. The meeting expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods and other monsoon-related disasters.
The council paid tribute to those who lost their lives and expressed condolences to their bereaved families. They also thanked security personnel, elected representatives, civil servants, private-sector organisations, volunteers and media personnel involved in search, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations, as well as donor countries and development partners that assisted during the crisis.
Key points
- 1,455 people confirmed dead and 5,285 missing after Nepal floods.
- Nepali government ends search and rescue operations, prioritizes reconstruction and rehabilitation.
- Estimated damage from floods exceeds NPR 408.28 billion.
