Nepalese citizens may face a longer wait for recovery than the rescue efforts that have just concluded. The official search and rescue operations following the devastating floods in August have ended. The floods, which struck the Himalayan region bordering Tibet, have resulted in at least 1,455 confirmed deaths, with over 5,285 individuals still missing. A total of 13,795 people were rescued.
On October 6, Pandindra Paudel, head of Nepal's National Emergency Operations Center, stated, "We are transitioning from the search and rescue phase to the reconstruction phase." This marks the end of months of search and rescue efforts as the focus shifts to national rebuilding. However, if bodies or valuables are discovered during the reconstruction process, emergency rescue operations will be initiated to address those situations.
While urgent reconstruction is needed, the reality is challenging. According to the BBC, Nepalese authorities estimate that the reconstruction costs could reach as high as $4.8 billion. Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, noted that the reconstruction efforts would require more than 10% of Nepal's GDP. This is due to the destruction of numerous public buildings, including schools, health centers, hospitals, roads, bridges, sewage treatment facilities, and hydropower plants.
Nepal, one of the smallest economies in South Asia, faces significant financial hurdles in its reconstruction efforts. Prime Minister Dahal has called for support from the international community in the form of grants. Despite being one of the countries with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions, Nepal is among the most vulnerable to climate change.
Securing funding is not the only challenge; administrative procedures are also a barrier. In Nepal, individuals are presumed dead only after 12 years of being missing. Families of the missing have expressed frustration, stating that they struggle to obtain death certificates for presumed deceased individuals, which complicates access to flood compensation, property transfers, and inheritance.
Even locating bodies presents difficulties. Over 1,400 bodies have been recovered, but Nepal has limited experience with DNA analysis on this scale. Authorities have collected DNA samples from some bodies and buried them with markers in case family members come to claim them.
The Nepalese government has informed the BBC that it is seeking solutions. The Prime Minister's Office acknowledged that outdated laws could pose challenges for families in exceptional situations like disasters. The Ministry of Home Affairs has stated that it is taking the issue seriously and is prepared to amend laws if necessary.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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