The Hard Lesson of Bhotekoshi: Build With Nature, Not Against It
Summary
Nepal should use the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli flood disaster as a chance to rebuild safer settlements, with hazard mapping, strict building codes, better drainage, and livelihoods built into reconstruction planning. The article warns that rebuilding in the same unsafe places would simply recreate the same risks.
Key Points
- Reconstruction after the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli floods should focus on safer site selection, hazard mapping, and no-build zones rather than simply replacing damaged structures.
- The article says flood-prone and landslide-prone areas should be reserved for uses that can tolerate risk, while critical facilities must be placed with extra care.
- Settlement planning must also support livelihoods, keep drainage channels and natural landscapes intact, and enforce Nepal’s National Building Code.
- The author argues that involving affected residents and using appropriate local materials can make reconstruction more resilient and sustainable.
