Over Rs 420 million in damages caused by floods & landslides in Kavre

KATHMANDU: Recent floods and landslides have damaged 11,680 ropanis of crops, including rice, maize, potatoes, and vegetables, across all 13 local levels in Kavrepalanchowk district, according to the District Agriculture Development Office.

An initial estimate suggests the crops of 7,200 families have been affected, with a total loss valued at Rs 4.26 billion, reported office chief Kul Prasad Dawadi.

Panauti Municipality suffered the most significant damage, with losses worth Rs 941 million, followed by Dhulikhel Municipality with Rs 548 million in damages.

The office reported damage to 669.8 hectares of rice fields, 30 hectares of maize crops, and 427.79 hectares of other crops.

The overall estimated production loss includes 2,009 metric tons of rice, 84 metric tons of maize, and 4,200 metric tons of vegetables, amounting to a total estimated decline of 6,371 metric tons.

Additionally, approximately 4,000 livestock have perished, with the highest loss in Panauti Municipality, where 2,100 animals died.

Nishant Gelal, acting head of the District Livestock Service Office, stated that data collection from all 13 local units is ongoing, though full details may take a few days due to disrupted communication in some areas.

On Friday, the government declared more than three dozen local levels, including Kavrepalanchowk’s Roshi, Temal, Bethanchok, Chauri Deurali, and Mahabharat Rural Municipalities, as disaster crisis areas, prioritizing relief and reconstruction efforts.

Among the 13 local units, 78 people have died, five are missing, and 75 have been injured, reported the District Police Office.

The victims include 33 women, 29 men, nine boys, and seven girls.