Rs 63.58 Billion Allocated for Earthquake Reconstruction Efforts in Nepal: NDRRMA Unveils Preliminary Assessment
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has released a preliminary estimate for the reconstruction efforts following three recent earthquakes, tallying approximately Rs 63.58 billion. This assessment, conducted by NDRRMA, pinpointed damages nearing Rs 58 billion, with reconstruction costs expected to surpass Rs 63.5 billion. Bharat Mani Pandey, Chief of NDRRMA's Policy, Planning, and Monitoring Division, confirmed the advancement of reconstruction processes following a comprehensive preliminary study.
The seismic events in question unfolded as follows: On November 3, 2023, an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Ramidanda, Jajarkot district, claiming 154 lives and injuring 366 others. Subsequently, on October 3, 2023, a tremor measuring 5.3 Richter scale struck Bajhang, resulting in one fatality and 30 injuries. Preceding these, on November 8, 2022, a seismic event measuring 6.6 Richter scale hit Doti, claiming six lives and injuring eight individuals.
The NDRRMA's report identified the destruction of 95,787 houses due to these earthquakes, amounting to an estimated worth of Rs 43.39 billion. Furthermore, 204 school buildings, 70 government and public structures, 11 cultural heritage sites, nearly 200 kilometers of roads, and 121 irrigation projects suffered damage in the aftermath.
The Jajarkot earthquake inflicted the most significant human and property damage, with over 86,000 houses affected. NDRRMA's preliminary assessment allocated Rs 63.58 billion for the reconstruction across various sectors, including Rs 52.46 billion for private houses, government infrastructure, and health, education, and cultural buildings, Rs 7.18 billion for other infrastructure, and Rs 1.73 billion for enterprises.
Anil Pokharel, NDRRMA's Executive Chief, disclosed that reconstruction initiatives are set to progress, endorsed by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Executive Committee, chaired by the Home Minister. The approved 'Retrofitting, Reconstruction, and Resettlement Grant Procedure for Private Houses of Disaster-Affected, 2081' outlines beneficiary categorization as 'A', 'B', and 'C', streamlining housing reconstruction efforts.
Significantly, local levels are entrusted with substantial responsibilities in this process. They are tasked with maintaining a preliminary record of damages, with the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee responsible for beneficiary identification. Following a thorough review of local-level details, agreements will be forged between beneficiaries and ward chairpersons, with a targeted reconstruction completion within two years post-agreement signing.
