Landslides, Floods Cause Rs 11.81 Billion in Damage in Ilam

Ilam, – Heavy rainfall on October 4 and 5 triggered landslides and floods in Ilam district, causing property damage estimated at Rs 11.81 billion, according to Chief District Officer Sunita Nepal.

The disasters affected roads, bridges, buildings, drinking water and irrigation projects, as well as agriculture, livestock, and energy infrastructure. Preliminary assessments from 11 district offices, including the Road Division, Infrastructure Development Office, Nepal Electricity Authority, and Water Resources and Irrigation Division, contributed to the estimate.

• Roads under the Road Division sustained Rs 6.96 billion in damages.
• Bridges and buildings lost Rs 850 million and Rs 40 million, respectively, under the Infrastructure Development Office.
• Electricity infrastructure suffered losses of Rs 24.7 million, while irrigation and water projects incurred over Rs 328 million in damages
• Damages to 29 drinking water projects reached Rs 287.5 million, while 223 projects under the Bhadrapur Water Supply and Sanitation Division incurred Rs 280.1 million in losses.
• Agricultural losses, including food and cash crops across 892.32 hectares, totaled Rs 274.9 million, and 25 tea estates suffered about Rs 47.55 million in damages.
• Nepal Telecom reported losses of Rs 508,000 from 10 damaged optical fiber and cable lines.

The disasters displaced 711 households, of which 700 are staying with relatives and 11 in community shelters. Additionally, 39 people died, 26 were injured, and one remains missing. Across 10 local levels, floods and landslides completely destroyed 365 houses and partially damaged 940 homes.

CDO Nepal said the damage assessment has been submitted to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and relevant ministries, with coordination from local governments.