Floods and Landslides Disrupt Nepal's Economy and Daily Life
Summary
Continuous rain-triggered floods and landslides have blocked major highways into Kathmandu Valley, driving up the prices of vegetables and other essentials while leaving farmers unable to sell their produce. The disruption has exposed weaknesses in Nepal’s supply chain, market monitoring, and storage infrastructure.
Key Points
- Floods and landslides have disrupted road links to Kathmandu Valley, causing shortages and sharp price hikes for vegetables and daily essentials.
- Government data shows vegetable prices have risen by 100 to 250 percent, with items like green chilies, tomatoes, and cabbage seeing major increases.
- Consumer rights activists accuse wholesalers and middlemen of profiteering, while officials say market monitoring has been ineffective.
- Farmers in districts such as Dhading, Kavre, and Makwanpur are losing crops because they cannot transport produce, highlighting the lack of cold storage and godowns.
