Life after disaster: Flood-affected people start managing whatever remains of their goods and property

KATHMANDU, SEPTEMBER 30: The swollen rivers in the Kathmandu Valley wreaked havoc in downstream areas following continuous rainfall that began on Friday and only subsided by Sunday afternoon. The downpour caused widespread flooding, inundating settlements, and damaging structures.

The settlements along the banks of the Nakhkhukhola rivulet in Tika Bhairab, Lalitpur, were heavily impacted. The flooding left homes, shops, and other structures submerged, disrupting normal life and business. Many residents are now working to salvage what remains, clearing mud and debris from their homes and shops. Renuka Limbu, a resident of Lalitpur Metropolitan City-18, reported losing six pigs and 70 ducks and chickens to the flood. “The water entered our house around midnight on Friday. By 7 a.m. Saturday, the flood had washed away our entire shelter,” she shared.

The flood also damaged a bridge connecting Nakhkhudol in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-14 to Bhainsepati, leading to its closure. Many temporary shelters and shops near the bridge were washed away, and residents are struggling to recover. Local resident Rom Rana stated that the flood destroyed his entire nursery, causing an estimated loss of Rs 1.3 million. “We were aware of the potential for flooding after hearing the news but had no time to move everything to safety,” he said.

The floods and landslides knocked down power lines, plunging large parts of Lalitpur into darkness. While the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has restored power to most of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur, rural areas in Lalitpur are still without electricity. Repair efforts are ongoing, though progress is slow due to road blockages. NEA’s spokesperson, Chandan Kumar Ghosh, confirmed that power restoration is expected by the evening.

In Bhaktapur, residents are busy clearing mud and silt from their homes and businesses. Areas like Radhe Radhe in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality and Balkot of Surya Binayak Municipality were among the worst affected. People can be seen pumping out water and drying damaged items, such as furniture, electronics, and carpets, outside their homes and shops. Efforts to clear roads blocked by landslides in Sipadol, Gundu, and Dadhikot are also ongoing, with over a hundred fallen trees obstructing traffic.

Chief District Officer Roshani Kumari Shrestha stated that the administration is assessing the damage to homes and businesses while coordinating with local authorities and the District Chamber of Commerce. Relief distribution has begun with support from the Red Cross. Local governments have prioritized restoring essential services, including power, water supply, and road access, to the affected areas.