Kathmandu [Nepal], Sept 14 – The August 26 flash floods in the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river system caused more than Rs 2.2 billion in losses to Nepal’s agriculture and livestock sectors, according to a Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA).
The assessment jointly prepared by the National Planning Commission and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, estimates Rs 1.09 billion in crop losses and another Rs 1.11 billion in livestock and poultry losses.
Paddy farming suffered the biggest impact among crops. Floodwaters damaged 1,669 hectares of paddy fields, resulting in an estimated loss of 5,843 tonnes of rice production.
The damage was particularly severe in Nuwakot. Bidur alone lost 700 hectares of paddy fields, with a potential production loss of 2,450 tonnes. Likhu reported damage to 230 hectares while 200 hectares were affected in Belkotgadhi.
Paddy fields in parts of Dhading and Rasuwa were also damaged, including 140 hectares in Gosaikunda and 143 hectares in Uttargaya of Rasuwa.
Vegetable production was also hit, with 137 hectares affected and an estimated 1,843 tonnes of produce lost. Bidur recorded the largest damage with 98 hectares of vegetable crops affected and a potential loss of 1,323 tonnes.
The livestock sector suffered a separate Rs 1.11 billion loss, with 252,445 animals and birds affected.
Although poultry accounted for 85.1 percent of the affected animals and birds, it represented only 4.8 percent of the financial loss. The largest financial losses were recorded in larger livestock.
Losses involving 4,572 buffaloes were estimated at Rs 457.2 million, accounting for 41 percent of total livestock losses. Goats and mountain goats accounted for another Rs 391.3 million, while losses involving cows and oxen stood at Rs 179.2 million.
Together, buffaloes, goats and mountain goats, and cows and oxen accounted for 92.3 percent of total livestock losses.
The assessment indicates that the August 26 floods have not only caused immediate physical damage but have also affected agricultural production and livestock-based livelihoods across flood-hit districts.
