The Rs 1.5 trillion toll: The cumulative financial price of Nepal’s decade of catastrophes
Summary
Nepal’s decade since the 2015 earthquake has been marked by repeated disasters and unrest that together caused more than Rs 1.4 trillion in damage and losses. The tally spans the Gorkha earthquake, COVID-19, major floods, the Jajarkot quake and the 2025 Gen Z protests.
Key Points
- Nepal’s cumulative losses from major shocks since 2015 now exceed Rs 1.4 trillion, with the 2015 earthquake alone accounting for Rs 706.46 billion.
- COVID-19 caused about Rs 198.19 billion in losses, while the 2017 Terai floods cost Rs 60.71 billion and the 2021 Melamchi flood disrupted the Kathmandu water project.
- The September 2024 floods and landslides killed 78 people and damaged hydropower plants, roads, bridges and agriculture across eastern and central Nepal.
- The September 2025 Gen Z protests caused Rs 84.45 billion in physical damage and billions more in lost output, adding to Nepal’s mounting disaster bill.
