Opinion | The hidden economic bill of Nepal’s monsoon disasters
Summary
Nepal faces recurring economic burdens from monsoon disasters, with households bearing substantial losses before and after floods and landslides. Improved disaster loss data and greater investment in prevention and preparedness are essential to reduce future impacts.
Key Points
- Between 2015 and 2025, Nepal experienced 32 major weather-related disasters causing over 2,000 deaths and affecting more than 5.78 million people.
- Only 5 of the 32 recorded disasters have reported economic damage estimates, complicating efforts to quantify true costs for prevention investment.
- Floods account for 53% of major weather disasters and 78% occur during the monsoon season, severely impacting agriculture and livelihoods.
- Households endure significant financial burdens, with disaster losses averaging Rs83 billion annually, highlighting the need for greater investment in disaster risk reduction and community preparedness.
